Thousands identified in water bill amnesty

Almost 15,000 potentially unbilled customers have been identified in an audit of the Thames Water customer base

ALMOST 15,000 potentially unbilled customers have been identified in the first four weeks of the Thames Water amnesty.

Since January 20, the water company that serves more than three million properties across London and the Thames Valley has been carrying out an audit of its entire customer base to try and find people who have been using water but have never received a bill.

The audit is running alongside a six-week amensty period, during which time the water company is urging unbilled customers to come forward voluntarily on the agreement that all previously unpaid charges will be waived provided they pay for their water from now on.

But of the 14,787 potentially unbilled customers identified by the investigation so far, just 1,297 have been callers to the free amnesty line on 0800 072 3628.

Thames Water's customer services director, Mike Tempest, said: “People confirmed as unbilled customers who do not take advantage of our amnesty could be in for a nasty shock - six years of water bills in one go.

“People who call our amnesty line have nothing to worry about. If we confirm them as unbilled, any back-charges will be waived provided they agree to pay from now on, which is great news for them.”

The amnesty ends on Thursday, March 3.