Anglian Water Services Limited is a privatized water company operating in the East of England. The company provides drinking water and wastewater services to more than six million people in the region, and it is one of the largest water firms in the UK. Unfortunately, Anglian Water Services Limited has been in the news lately for the wrong reasons. In 2018, the firm was fined £146 million for environmental offences, the largest-ever fine for such offences in the UK. In this article, we’ll talk about recent developments in Anglian Water Services Limited compensation, what customers need to know, and how to make a claim.
## The Case Against Anglian Water Services Limited
In March 2021, Ofwat, the industry regulator, announced its decision on Anglian Water’s 2020-2025 business plan. While Ofwat accepted the plan, it also imposed a £40 million penalty on Anglian Water for its poor customer service. According to Ofwat, Anglian Water breached several of its regulatory targets, including customer satisfaction, leakage reduction, and sewer flooding. Customers in the region had reported problems such as low water pressure and discolored water. In response, Anglian Water apologized and pledged to improve its service.
This is not the first time that Anglian Water has been criticized for its performance. In 2019, Anglian Water and three other UK water firms were named by a consumer watchdog, Which?, as having the worst customer service in the industry. The firms scored poorly in categories such as complaint handling and value for money.
Additionally, in 2018, Anglian Water was fined £146 million by the Environment Agency for environmental offences. The company had discharged untreated sewage into rivers and streams, causing significant pollution and damage to wildlife. The fine was the largest ever imposed on a water company for such offences in the UK.
## Compensation for Customers
If you’re a customer of Anglian Water, you may be entitled to compensation for poor service or outages. According to Ofwat, the new £40 million penalty will be used to compensate customers who were affected by service failures. Anglian Water has also announced that it will set up a £1 million fund to support customers who struggle to pay their water bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customers can also claim compensation for sewer flooding or blocked drains caused by Anglian Water’s network. Under the industry’s guaranteed standards scheme, which applies to all water companies, customers can claim up to £100 if their property is flooded due to a problem in the sewer network or the company’s failure to maintain it. Customers can also claim up to £1,000 in total for damages resulting from sewer flooding or blocked drains.
To make a claim for compensation, you need to contact Anglian Water’s customer service team. You’ll need to provide details of the incident, such as the date, time, and location, as well as any evidence of the damage or losses you suffered. Anglian Water may investigate the claim and compensate you if it finds that you’re eligible.
## What to Do if You’re Dissatisfied with Anglian Water’s Service
If you’re unhappy with Anglian Water’s service, you should first contact the company’s customer service team to raise your concerns. The team will try to resolve the issue and provide you with a solution.
If you’re still dissatisfied, you can escalate your complaint to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), an independent body that represents customers’ interests in the water sector. The CCW can investigate your complaint and mediate a resolution if possible. The CCW can also refer your complaint to Ofwat if it believes that Anglian Water has breached its regulatory obligations.
## Conclusion
Anglian Water Services Limited has faced criticism and penalties for its poor performance and environmental offences. However, the company has also pledged to compensate customers who have been affected by service failures and set up a fund to support those struggling to pay their water bills. If you’re a customer of Anglian Water and have experienced problems with its service, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact Anglian Water’s customer service team to make a claim. If you’re still dissatisfied, escalate your complaint to the CCW or Ofwat.