green chalkboard with the word debt being erased

Efforts to prevent more struggling Welsh households from sinking into debt will come under the spotlight at the Consumer Council for Water’s (CCWater) Board meeting in public on Tuesday (December 6).

The consumer watchdog has invited water company bosses from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Dee Valley Water and Severn Trent Water to showcase how they are helping customers in financial hardship during the meeting at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

It forms part of wider efforts by CCWater to raise awareness of the growing number of schemes that now exist to help the one in eight water customers in Wales who say their water bills are unaffordable.

Tom Taylor, CCWater Wales Committee Chair, said:

Water debt is a serious problem for many households in Wales who too often find themselves suffering in silence. We are doing all we can to change that by working with water companies and other support agencies to raise awareness of schemes like social tariffs that can provide a lifeline to customers on the brink of crisis.

The meeting will also see CCWater’s Board discuss the proposed takeover of Dee Valley Water by either Severn Trent, or rival bidder Ancala, and what that could mean for customers.

And consumers will have the opportunity to voice any questions or concerns about their water and sewerage services during a short listening session.

The meeting will start at 9am in the David Morgan Room and anyone interested in attending should email Board Secretary Alison Townsend at [email protected]

For more information call the CCWater press office on 0121 345 1005.