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PN 31/08 | 29 September 2008 |
Savings to be made through WaterSure | |
In England and Wales the number of consumers successfully applying for assistance has risen from 16,212 in 2006/07 to 24,121 in 2007/08.
Through the WaterSure scheme, households on meters who receive certain means tested benefits or tax credits, and are either responsible for three or more children under the age of 19, or have a medical condition which requires significant additional use of water, can apply to pay no more than the average household bill for their region.
Lee Thorne, from Wisbech, has been on the WaterSure tariff since 2001. He has saved a total of £717 so far, after seeing details of the scheme in the leaflet accompanying his Anglian Water bill.
On income support and diagnosed with a medical condition, Lee qualified for the capped tariff. This means that he pays no more than the average household bill in his region, even if he uses a high volume of water.
Mr Thorne said:
"I would advise anyone who thinks they may be eligible to join the WaterSure scheme to contact their water company. It's really helped me, and when you're on a low income every penny you can save counts."
"This increase in successful applications for WaterSure over the last year is good news, but there are still many people out there who could benefit from this scheme. Ofwat requires water companies to promote these services and would encourage anyone who thinks they may qualify to contact their water company to find out more."
1. The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is the economic regulator of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. It exercises its powers in a way that it judges will protect the interests of consumers, promote value and safeguard future water and sewerage services by allowing efficient companies to carry out their functions properly, and finance them.
2. The financial assistance figures for 2007/08 can be found here
3. In 2006 -07 the number of households successfully applying to have their bill capped under the WaterSure scheme rose by 23% from 13,187 to 16,212
4. The WaterSure Scheme, formerly known as the Vulnerable Groups Scheme, was introduced by the Government in 2000. Further details about the WaterSure scheme can be found here
Whilst the regulations only apply to companies operating wholly or mainly in England, the two companies operating in Wales have introduced equivalent tariffs on a voluntary basis.
5. Media enquiries to Ofwat Press Office on:
Steph Beeby 0121 625 1416
Email: pressofficeteam@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk
