tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.comments2016-05-16T10:16:19.720+01:00Thames Water Is ShiteKen Frosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13568488818950912374noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-67920545538170408942014-09-01T01:10:58.470+01:002014-09-01T01:10:58.470+01:00Thames Water simply dupe customers into adopting m...Thames Water simply dupe customers into adopting metered supply while they laugh all the way to the bank. Without changing water usage habit bills will rise for all customers who change. People who move into a home with meter don't even have a choice. In reality neither do those who opt for metered supply on a trial to revert.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09305191613133050352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-24300427046826054652013-12-10T11:39:17.108+00:002013-12-10T11:39:17.108+00:00Thames Water are totally incompetent. We have been...Thames Water are totally incompetent. We have been having issues with them for the last 6 months. In the last 3 weeks alone they have taken £174 out of my account! They changed my payment term from monthly to half yearly without my knowledge and will not give me a proper explanation as to why. The RIGHT Stripeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02036505973432711583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-33824838945362358622013-02-23T12:18:13.284+00:002013-02-23T12:18:13.284+00:00I first reported a significant leak outside my hom...I first reported a significant leak outside my homes on27 Jan 13 when water outside my neighbours was ankle deep and had run down our drives into our garages where our gas and electrics are housed.Called numerous times in the weeks that followed but Thames consistently failed to return calls or provide a coherent response.made the point about hazard posed and risk of structural damage to homes,that had endured low water pressure since 27 Jan 13.Told to fill ouT claim form to apply for discount.<br />Wrote to inform Thames we would hold them liable for damage to our properties,yet to receive a response.<br />week comm 11 Feb 13,excavations commenced 11 pm one night,8.30pm the next. They abandoned the site with the leak still flowing, telling neighbours they ‘could not find’ the leak and it was ‘just ground water escaping’.<br />Here is a snapshot of my commS with Thames over couple of dayS:<br />18/2/13:On hold 10 minutes.SpokeStuart.Ref 101078762, said would get a call back by 2pm.No call received.Rang Thames,spoke to Darrell,ref 1010785546.No information given as to why work had not been carried out. 5.26pm: message received that work would start ‘first thing in morning’.<br />19/2/13: No work started.Rang Thames,on hold, spoke Simon. Unable to provide information.Rang later,spoke Nicole.Told some one would call back. No one called.<br />20 /2/13:Called Thames,on hold,spoke Gulalai. promised 24hr call back ref 1010790887.Assured some one would attend in 4 hours– ref 1010790828.Work order ref 30199670.No one called back.<br />21/2/13. Rang Thames.Spoke Jackie,asked for manager. Told no one available.Rang Thames.Spoke to Simon, could not provide any explanations. Asked for manager,told ‘I can’t just pull over a manager’.Said manager would call me in few hours.No one called back.<br />In stark contrast, following calls to Lambeth council 21 Feb 13,manager came out within hours to inspect site,called me back to inform contractors on site and work would commence imminently.This did not happen.Told by contractor Thames had omitted to apply for permit to switch off water,thus work could not commence.<br /> 22 Feb 13 had numerous conversations with managers at Lambeth who did best to galvanise Thames into action,assuring us work would commence in the afternoon ‘during daylight hours.Lambeth advised Thames not to work beyond 9pm as bedrooms face road. work commenced 9pm,22 Feb 13 and continued into night,generating noise till 11pm. <br />Councillor Judith Best come out to inspect site on same night.Why is it that a councillor can respond within hours(after a single call);that Lambeth can respond within hours(after a single call),while Thames remains in a vegetative state?<br />This service failure is by not an isolated incident.In 2011,I requested a water meter, which Thames connected to neighbour’s pipe and billed me for.Refused to believe there was a fault,instead telling me I must have a leak should apply for leak allowance via a ridiculous form filling process.<br />Cannot bear to re-hash entire story here,took from end 2011-Aug 12 for Thames to resolve. Affected neighbours too,as Thames placed 2 meters on their supply and none on mine! <br />I cannot drink or cook with my tap water, since Thames fluoridates my water supply and fluoride is contra-indicated with a chronic disease from which i suffer.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519469271321360845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-41185054984176070122012-06-09T23:20:59.845+01:002012-06-09T23:20:59.845+01:00I wonder just how many hosepipes worth of water th...I wonder just how many hosepipes worth of water they have just wasted. Just as well they are thinking about ending the ban soon....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-5641996931937734072012-04-14T10:43:53.673+01:002012-04-14T10:43:53.673+01:00bill up over 10% for 2nd year runningbill up over 10% for 2nd year runningpridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02387275503219993084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-26724134196320212592010-09-08T12:22:58.951+01:002010-09-08T12:22:58.951+01:00Today is the 3rd time in 6 weeks no water from bur...Today is the 3rd time in 6 weeks no water from burst water pipe.<br /><br />W3 Acton, west London.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-26239378614138985672010-06-05T00:30:31.426+01:002010-06-05T00:30:31.426+01:00It seems that Thames Water cannot be trusted with ...It seems that Thames Water cannot be trusted with direct debits. After complaining about an estimated bill that was about twice the average consumption, Thames Water reduced the bill but them promptly deducted the amount twice from my account.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-9894600485182904882010-02-16T11:51:08.690+00:002010-02-16T11:51:08.690+00:00you might usefully have added "and take some ...you might usefully have added "and take some notice of what they tell you"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-79704676692984702902010-02-14T23:11:41.756+00:002010-02-14T23:11:41.756+00:00There once was giant firm that cheated
Its custome...There once was giant firm that cheated<br />Its customers till they grew heated.<br /> But when they cried "Foul!"<br /> It just said "You can howl,<br />We're Thames Water, we can't be defeated."<br /><br />No copyright claimed, not my original. But worth repeating, why don't you, wherever you can?R.E.A. Dingratnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-69670340357025194112010-01-02T00:25:39.416+00:002010-01-02T00:25:39.416+00:00You may find the water Consumer Council some help....You may find the water Consumer Council some help. But don't expect any help from Ofwat: my experience of being ripped off by Thames Water is that (a) Thames Water thinks its behaviour is perfectly justifiable--and (b)Ofwat thinks so too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-35102751865374786742009-11-30T20:27:17.828+00:002009-11-30T20:27:17.828+00:00Latest news, the CEO is bailing out.........bye Mr...Latest news, the CEO is bailing out.........bye Mr OwensAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-82257294236915268422009-11-23T11:22:01.211+00:002009-11-23T11:22:01.211+00:00If you live in a flat that CANNOT have a water met...If you live in a flat that CANNOT have a water meter--eg because you have a communal hot water supply shared with other flats in the block, you do NOT have to live with being (grossly over)charged on your "rateable value". You are entitled to an "assessed charge".<br />For a small household in a small flat, like mine in London, this could HALVE your water bill.<br />I've only just discovered this. Thousands of people don't know of it. So why doesn't Thames Water tell them about it?<br />Because it deliberately chooses not to. It has told me in as many words that it will only tell you AFTER you've applied for a meter, and it declares (correctly) that that is impossible. Would you apply for a meter when you know perfectly well that your flat is the sort that cannot be metered? Probably not--why waste your time? As Thames Water must know.<br />How very convenient your (my) ignorance is for the giant monopoly called Thames Water. And its Australian owners.<br />Shouldn't the water regulator, Ofwat, insist that the water companies tell their customers about this form of charging. You might think so--but Ofwat doesn't. It actively approves (yes, it has told me so) of the water companies' lack of information. On grounds too ridiculous to be set out here. <br />How very convenient again for Thames Water. And spineless couldnt-care-less Ofwat has the nerve to claim that it protects consumers! Not on this matter it doesn't--just the opposite.stephen hugh-jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-57743394280928261432009-09-27T10:42:27.830+01:002009-09-27T10:42:27.830+01:00in failing to get approval from OFWAT to raise wat...in failing to get approval from OFWAT to raise water prices THAMES WATER is now closing many of its Reading offices and sub contracting the work.<br />customer services is one of the offices to be closed in april 2010so you will not be able to speak direct to T.Water in Reading.<br />management will not tell us what is happening to T.Water in Reading.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-15234164823927194532009-06-10T15:25:33.288+01:002009-06-10T15:25:33.288+01:00Thanks for that, I will do. Good luck with your re...Thanks for that, I will do. Good luck with your refund!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-38017742236294853352009-06-10T14:57:40.017+01:002009-06-10T14:57:40.017+01:00Make sure that you have cancelled your direct debi...Make sure that you have cancelled your direct debit, and that your bank confirms this.<br /><br />Here are two email addresses that may help escalate your problem outwith the customer "help" centre<br /><br />customerservices@thameswater.co.uk<br />chief.executive@thameswater.co.uk<br /><br />Write also to your local media and MP.<br /><br />Good luck!Ken Frosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13568488818950912374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-81355385186313814852009-06-10T14:41:58.237+01:002009-06-10T14:41:58.237+01:00Here's a comment about the shiteness of Thames...Here's a comment about the shiteness of Thames Water. <br /><br />I moved into a property in December 2007 and set-up direct debits with Thames Water. In April 2008, I realised the direct debits had not been taken out of my account and, so, rang Thames Water to set-up yet another direct debit. It wasn’t until I was preparing to leave the property (in February 2009) that I was informed that only two direct debits had been taken out and that I owed nearly a year’s worth of water that I found out they had, yet again, failed to set-up the direct debit correctly. Thames Water initially said I had three months to pay the full balance, to which I managed to get them to agree to a payment plan over 12 months. To my surprise, the full amount was then deducted from my account (without authorisation) in February 2009 and then, some weeks later, put back into my account (without me uttering a word). So two direct debits down the line on my new payment plan of £38 per month, I get a red demand letter for £250-odd in May 2009. After querying this, they explained that two Accounts had been set-up for the new address (one at number 60 and one at 60A). I then cancelled my direct debits and was told that I would receive a letter explaining the mistake and then an invoice, which I advised I would organise to pay another way (not by direct debit). At the end of May/beginning of June 2009, I receive a bill (but no letter) for approximately £177. After checking my online banking today, Thames Water have, again, taken approximately £177 from my bank account (again, without authorisation). I was told it was the “system” and then demanded that the money be returned to my account within 24 hours, to which they assured me that it takes 3-5 working days for the money to be credited to my water account and then they can start looking in to refunding me. I have since received a phone call from a rude staff member implying that it happened because I had not paid the balance of the water account on the last property and that I have to go to my bank in order to receive a refund. By this time, rather irately, I insisted that Thames Water put the money back and the only response I received was “we can’t do that, we can’t do that” over and over again. Thames Water are thieves, who are earning interest on money they have taken from my bank account without my authorisation. I don’t know where to turn to in order to report this, so if you have any advice, please let me know!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-43392165199783256412008-07-10T16:45:00.000+01:002008-07-10T16:45:00.000+01:00Yes it's amazing. The same thing happened to me. S...Yes it's amazing. The same thing happened to me. Some blokes just turned off our water (big apartment block) at 8.30am without any notice. I went out to confront them. When they said they came from Thames Water, I just said, 'that would be right, that is exactly what I would expect from such an incompentent rip-off company'. They said, ooh sorry mate, 'they were just doing what they were told'. So do we have to complain before we get civilized service from this crap rip-off company?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-21109510218205280702007-09-01T23:31:00.000+01:002007-09-01T23:31:00.000+01:00If you bothered to think about it, you'd realise t...If you bothered to think about it, you'd realise that the rest of your complaints have no relevance to this incident. You have no reasonable cause for complaint here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-40756801721399085792007-08-27T08:28:00.000+01:002007-08-27T08:28:00.000+01:00If you bother to read the site, you will see what ...If you bother to read the site, you will see what my complaint was about.Ken Frosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13568488818950912374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-3207873930631892342007-08-26T14:32:00.000+01:002007-08-26T14:32:00.000+01:00A water main burst, and Thames Water managed to re...A water main burst, and Thames Water managed to restore your supply within an hour. What exactly is your complaint here? Do you think old pipes burst due to incompetence? Or that taking a whole hour to restore supply after a burst is incompetence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-185053376817414032007-07-18T12:59:00.000+01:002007-07-18T12:59:00.000+01:00''Leaks occur for a verity of reasons''A 'verity' ...''Leaks occur for a verity of reasons''<BR/><BR/>A 'verity' of reasons? They're obviously lying Ken! ;o)<BR/><BR/>skydogAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240601681369626224.post-74479601363209877472007-07-18T12:54:00.000+01:002007-07-18T12:54:00.000+01:00We've enjoyed three months of uninterrupted water ...We've enjoyed three months of uninterrupted water supply here in Yorkshire Ken.... but that's another story. Give us a week of sunshine (I wish) and there'll be a hosepipe ban.<BR/><BR/>Skydog1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com