23 May 2007
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith will today tell the House of Commons that Thames Water is "ripping off" its elderly customers in a "scandalous" manner, according to the Oxford Mail.
Mr Smith explained that the problems occurred most with vulnerable consumers who lived in one-bedroom flats, sheltered accommodation and tower blocks which didn't have water meters installed into them.
"The present situation is nothing short of scandalous. Year in, year out many pensioners and tower block residents are paying more than they need to," he told the Oxford Mail.
"Over a few years the extra money they are paying to Thames Water amounts to hundreds of pounds, which is a total rip-off. Even when you get on the average household water charge it takes no account of household size, so pensioners are still paying over the odds."
Mr Smith has appealed to Thames Water to adopt a similar system to that of rival Anglian Water, which calculates the tariff in accordance with the type of property.
In response, Thames Water spokesman Daniel Taylor said: "Sheltered accommodation residents and residents of any other shared accommodation can have a meter installed, but this can only be done with the agreement of the property owner and depends on the internal plumbing of the building being able to accommodate one.
Mr Taylor added that if a property owner agrees to a tenant having a water meter installed and paying a separate bill, but their plumbing system won't accommodate one, the tenant could elect to pay the average household charge, which currently stands at 245 per year.
If you don't have a water meter installed, you could be paying over the odds for your bills. uSwitch.com can help you work out your usage and see if installing a water meter could help you save money. Read our water saving tips too.