Free services for older and disabled consumers

 You have no choice over which company supplies your water and sewerage services: so it is important that you feel satisfied with the service you get from your company., and get the most from it. The Consumer Council for Water has a specific duty to consumers who are disabled, chronically sick, or of pensionable age, and we are keen to ensure that this group of consumers gets the full benefit of the services available to them.

You may not be aware of the range of free services and help you can get from your water company – research shows you are not alone in this.

However, you should contact your water company if you feel you would gain from:

• Local bogus caller schemes to stop do-to-door conmen; • A ‘password’ system which would only allow genuine water company staff into your property (for example, to read a water meter or repair a leak on your supply pipe); • Re-siting of your meter (some companies charge for this service); • Meter reads on request; • Advice on eligibility for the vulnerable groups tariff, which could save you money on your water bill if you have a meter and are eligible under criteria set by government; • Advice on fittings, adaptations and other aids.

If cannot get an answer from your water company, try contacting the Consumer Council for Water on enquiries@ccwater.org.uk, or call us on 0845 039 2837.