BRANCHING OUT
In response to what Severn Trent Water
claims is growing confusion among customers about
the cost of calling directory inquiry services,
it has launched its own 118 service. Calls to
ST's 118 366 directory inquiry service will cost
30p per call.
Nic Budden, Severn Trent retail services managing
director, said, "We believe that many of our
customers don't realise how much they pay for
calls to some directory inquiry services because
of the mix of fixed and per minute charges made
by some companies. Our 30p flat rate is easy to
understand and makes us around 45 per cent
cheaper than BT's new prices for a one-minute
call."
ST has set up its main inquiries service team in
a regional call centre in Birmingham, where ST's
main headquarters are. "This allows us to
give customers great service while supporting the
regional economy," said Mr Budden. ST's
strategy is to provide a range of utility
services in the Midlands, all offering good value
for money. Around eight million people across the
Midlands receive their water and sewerage
services from the company. |
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WATER COMPANIES PLAN PRICE INCREASE 2
Water bills are set to rocket by up to 74%. The rises are
set out in the water companies' draft business plans
being scrutinised by Government watchdog, Ofwat. If the
plans get the green light, the average household bill
will go up by around 30% a year over the five years to
2010. The increases, which start coming into force in
March 2005, will vary from region to region. Tony Blair
now faces a council tax-style revolt over the proposals.
Meanwhile fat cat bosses, dubbed the Water Rats, are
living in luxury on £500,000-a-year pay packets.
The massive increase has been blamed on Britain's
crumbling water and sewage system. But outraged industry
watchdogs have criticised water companies for
profiteering at bill payers' expense. Peter Bowler of
Water Watch said, "The water industry treats its
customers as a cash cow. The arrogant and aggressive
attitude of the water industry beggars belief."
Consumer group WaterVoice added, "The increases seen
in the water companies proposals risk turning people
against the water industry. The companies have to be more
realistic about what people can afford to pay."
In 2003 Britain's top 10 water companies made pre-tax
profits of £1.3billion. The industry is planning a
£21billion investment programme over five years. Water
UK says companies need to replace one third of their
pipes and could no longer rely on "patching up"
their network. A spokesman said, "These estimated
bills represent good value for money. "The average
household increase would work out at around 30p a
week." Severn Trent boss Robert Walker was paid
£493,000 in 2003, despite the company's shares
underperforming.
Derby has been named as one of 30 Severn
Trent sites in the Midlands which will play a part in a
£16m scheme to generate green energy from sewage. By
2005, the water firm will be generating 13% of its energy
from combined heat and power (CHP) digesters, at sites
including Derby, Alfreton, Burton and Uttoxeter. The
Severn Trent scheme will make it the biggest generator of
energy from sewage in the UK, with enough green energy
being produced each day to power a town the size of
Gloucester. The investment in CHP digesters will reduce
carbon emissions and reduce overall reliance on fossil
fuels.
Severn Trent Water managing director Brian Duckworth
said, "Government renewable energy targets are for
10% of energy used by 2010. This development exceeds
that." The Derby sewage works in Megaloughton Lane,
Spondon, have been a constant thorn in the side of
residents, who claim an unpleasant odour comes from the
site, particularly in the summer. Steve Hodgson,
spokesman for Severn Trent, said the residents need not
fear any worsening of the "Spondon pong". He
said, "The source of the smell was to do with an old
process that has since been rectified. It is not an issue
with CHP."
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