From £90 to £500 – Hungerford pensioner's shock at monthly water bill hike

Thames Water has promised an investigation over a Hungerford pensioner's huge bill hike.

Frederick Gregory said his regular bill suddenly jumped from around £90 to more than £500.

The 92-year-old, of Ramsbury Drive, said when he queried it, he was repeatedly fobbed off.

But after Newburytoday took it up on his behalf, Thames Water have got back in touch with him promising an investigation.

Mr Gregory said: "I'm a widower living in a bungalow; my water use would never approach anything like that and nothing has changed.

"Thames Water has got offices in Reading but when I rang to query it I was put through to a call centre in South Africa.

"At first they said there was nothing they could do about it.

"I tried again and had to explain the situation all over again.

"Then I got a message saying they would write to me.

"I'm still waiting for a letter."

Meanwhile, said Mr Gregory, a plumber friend investigated for him.

Mr Gregory added: "He said when he checked the water meter in the road he heard water leaking, which he thought the meter was recording."

He said he was still unable to get Thames Water to commit to an inspection.

Newburytoday then contacted the utility giant on Mr Gregory's behalf.

He said: "The next day I got a call from them, saying they'd been contacted by the media.

"They have now promised to look into it quickly."

Meanwhile the company has issued the following statement: "We’ve contacted Mr Gregory following concerns that his water bill has increased.

"We’ve now booked a high consumption survey appointment for November 8, which will help us to identify if there is a customer side leak at his property.

"If there is a leak within the property boundary, the customer will need to have this fixed and we will then adjust his bill in line with our leak allowance policy."

Thames Water's website states: "If you own your home, you're responsible for the water pipe that runs from the boundary of your property into your home, and the internal pipes and fittings.

"If you’re a tenant, this is your landlord’s responsibility to fix and maintain."