Watervoice Watchdog Pledges 'More Say' for British Consumers

A consumer watchdog today pledged to give water and sewerage customers more say over key issues like flooding and the forthcoming price review.

Chairman of WaterVoice Maurice Terry spoke out as the national consumer body published its annual report.

He said: "In the months ahead we aim to use our voice to give customers more influence over the matters that affect them most, such as the forthcoming price review, proposals to reduce flooding from sewers and Government proposals to set up a new Consumer Council for Water."

The annual report says that last year WaterVoice’s committee’s gained more than £600,000 in compensation and rebates for customers in dealing with complaints about water companies.

This brings the overall total to more than £7.6 million since the committees were set up in 1991.

WaterVoice dealt with more than 47,000 customer contacts during the year including 10,500 complaints about water companies.

WaterVoice said customers are key stakeholders in the setting of new price limits by Ofwat for all water companies in November 2004.

WaterVoice is working with Ofwat to ensure that customers are able to influence the process.

Maurice Terry added: "We are pleased to be participating in the co-ordinated customer research to assess customers’ expectations and priorities.

"This will enable all stakeholders to reach a common understanding of the balance to be struck between quality improvements, service and price."

Source: PA News