Consumer Champion Calls for Key Voice in Floods Review
Posted: Monday 30th July 2007
The champion for water and sewerage customers in England and Wales has called for a major voice in the independent flooding review recently announced by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment.
The Consumer Council for Water, which provides the strong national voice for water customers, is keen to ensure that customers are at the heart of the review and that any conclusions, including recommendations on further investment, are for the benefit of water and sewerage customers – especially as they may be required to fund them.
The floods being experienced, especially in central England, are as a result of unprecedented rainfall with the highest river water levels in living memory.
Sir James Perowne, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water Midlands, is spending today in Gloucester, talking to local people about the current situation. He welcomed the news from Severn Trent today that some 10,000 homes in Tewkesbury have had a basic water supply restored – although not yet to drinking water standard.
He said: “We do have some concerns over the provision and re-filling of water bowsers but Severn Trent has told us they are doing all that they can to address this problem. We would echo their message that customers should look after their neighbours and other more vulnerable customers in particular, and use the limited amount of water sensibly.”
The Consumer Council for Water is also continuing to ask whether Severn Trent has invested sufficiently to protect the Mythe Works and others like it from flooding.
Sir James, added: “It’s important that Severn Trent get things right in the short term so that the effects on customers are kept to a minimum and effective communication systems are in place. The number one priority for customers is that they have a safe, uninterrupted supply of water.
“Customers need to know precise locations for water supplies, be informed when mains water is coming back on, and given accurate and timely advice on health and hygiene precautions.”
The recent floods have prompted wider questions and issues about whether the water and drainage systems are able to cope with changing weather patterns and more extreme weather.
For example, have the water companies invested wisely in their networks to minimise the disruption caused by flooding incidents and the resilience of plant and, if more investment is required, what proportion should be borne by shareholders and, if any, by customers?
Dame Yve Buckland, National Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, concluded: “In the longer term, perhaps the biggest issue is whether water customers will, or should, end up with any increased financial burden to pay for improvements to the network. Work on the next Price Review has already started and our aim is to ensure customers are at the very heart of the discussions and outcomes.
“Whatever comes out of this floods review, in particular relating to costs being passed on to the customer, will feed into the overall Price Review which completes in 2009.
“It is therefore very important that we have a real voice in this independent review so that we can start to present the customer’s point of view from the outset.”
