Customers set for rebate after water companies under-perform

Customers will have £114 million returned to them through their water bills next year after water companies failed to deliver on a series of service commitments.

The rebate is a result of many water companies failing to meet targets set by the regulator Ofwat to improve services for customers and protect the environment.

When these targets are not met, the regulator reduces the amount of money companies can collect from customers.

Responding to the assessment of water companies’ performance, Mike Keil, Senior Director at the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said:

Customers are tired of not getting the service they deserve for the things they care about. It’s right and fair that people get their money back when they don’t receive the services they were promised by some water companies. People want assurance that their water bill is good value for money.

It’s good to see a few companies bucking the trend but others need to follow suit. With trust in water companies lower than it’s been for over a decade, it’s vital that companies not only improve their services but also support those customers who are struggling to afford their water bills.