Go on line & tell the Council what you think

with regards to Thames Water

People can press for a better service from Thames Water by signing up to the council’s ten point charter to improve the company’s performance.

The council has now launched an online version of its campaign to persuade Thames Water to provide Londoners with a better deal on water and sewerage services.

Visitors to the site can sign an online petition and log their views and comments on the company’s performance. They can also say whether they support or disagree with the aims of the council’s ten point charter, which is listed in full.

Council leader Edward Lister said:

“We want people to tell us what they think about Thames Water. We want to hear their views on the company’s performance and whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the services they’ve received.

“The information we obtain from residents will be used to bring more pressure to bear on the company to give their customers a better deal.”

Wandsworth has joined forces with five other boroughs in calling on the company to sign up to the charter and improve its services to Londoners.

To find out more visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/water.

The ten point charter calls on the water company to:

1) Meet Ofwat leakage targets year on year.

2) Take immediate action to repair major burst mains. Minor leaks should be repaired within seven days of them being reported.

3) Provide a log of all leaks known to Thames Water on the internet for public access.

4) Provide contact details for the company's technical liaison officers to all London boroughs.

5) Deliver emergency supplies of water individually to residents in the event of a loss of supply.

6) Stop closing roads without prior local authority approval. No parking bays to be occupied without proper suspensions being requested.

7) Pay for the London boroughs to inspect 60 per cent of their works instead of the normal 30 per cent.

8) Provide “courtesy boards” at all Thames Water repair sites.

9) Improve customer service and ensure that call centres provide a rapid and well-informed response to all callers.

10) The company and all its contractors become committed members of all boroughs’ Considerate Streetwork Schemes.

Wandsworth has joined Westminster City Council, Islington, Lambeth, Kensington and Chelsea, and Camden councils in issuing the ten point challenge.

Edward Lister said: "Customers have been getting a raw deal from Thames Water and we want to see that change. Many people are growing increasingly angry and frustrated with the company's performance in a whole range of areas, which is why we have agreed this ten point plan to help the company focus on what its customers want."

August 17, 2006