More than 150 people attended Southern Water’s ‘Your Water Matters’ drop-in event in Newport last week, where customers had the chance to speak directly with experts about key water issues affecting the Isle of Wight.
Held at the Salvation Army Hall on Pyle Street last Thursday (22nd May), the event gave residents the opportunity to discuss everything from storm overflows and water quality to local roadworks and customer billing support.
Experts from across Southern Water were on hand to answer questions and provide information on investment and improvement plans for the Isle of Wight. Topics included water recycling, water replacement infrastructure, and support services for those experiencing financial hardship.
Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley attended the event and said:
“Events like these are important and it is crucial that we work in partnership with water firms. There is a real interactive nature of the drop-in event and it’s great to see open and honest dialogue about water recycling and water replacement plans.
“People in financial stress are getting the help they need with their bills from Southern Water’s customer team.”
Among those attending was Freshwater resident Angela Curtis, who brought along her 14-year-old Border Collie, Murray. She said:
“The drop-in event is a good idea and it shows the company cares. I had questions about my tap water quality and I’m getting a home visit from an engineer to help.”
Dr Nick Mills, Southern Water’s Director of Environment and Innovation, said:
“The Your Water Matters event has proved to be our most popular yet with more than one hundred customers through the door in just the first couple of hours.
“Questions from residents have ranged from storm overflows and how we can help them with their bills. Plus, we were able to talk about water resources and vulnerability of the Island and talk about the solutions we have.”
All a load of twoddle, in the meantime I have just received an
email from Southern Water CEO about a price increase.
Everyone are just a bunch of money grabbers.
Lol
Don’t be fooled by SW, they don’t answer questions properly, selectively attend meetings and ignore advice. Nick seems a nice bloke but makes little effort, he is good at flicking on emails. IOW imports 30% of its water from the chalk streams of Hampshire, yes 30%, and those rivers are full of trout! Meanwhile the area from Luccombe to Blackgang slips into the sea, why because water is carrying it there over the Gault clay….. there is an opportunity to drain that water for use on the IOW which will reduce the need to drain the chalk stream rivers and save many houses and roads on the Undercliff….. experts across the board, even the Council’s own advisers agree this, SW is well aware of the solution but refuses to entertain it….. why, SW don’t care? Lack the will or expertise….? Unable to think laterally? Nick may be you can help here, and Richard, please, please follow this up!
Today Southern Water emailed customers about why the price of water services had increased (the email omitted that the increase was 47% in April. It explained that the rise was necessary for future investment in infrastructure but failed to explain why infrastructure investment was been neglected by the directors for years. The message invited contact but then goes on to say that info is available on the website but they are too busy to answer enquiries at the moment and customers can try later (at some unspecified date).
Meanwhile, the regulator, OFWAT, completely fails in its duty to protect the position of consumers.