Water Debt
It is estimated that over 2 million households in the UK fell into debt with their water bills in 1994 and this figure has continued to rise each year.
Debt often starts with something simple, like a hard to pay bill or an unexpected increase in fees, but there are ways to get back in control whether it be a simple consolidated loan, or for larger debts, an IVA or debt management plan.
Low-income households are more at risk of water debt, especially those with dependant children.
As water bills continue to increase, some water companies are taking a more lenient approach to retrieving debt related to water charges.
Others are becoming more threatening and demanding, hence the reason why customers in one part of the country had their water supply disconnected and others did not. Some shocked customers had their water supply disconnected with just 24 hours notice.
Water debt: A Case Study
Carol and Steve were disconnected for three weeks and had to rely on neighbours to help them bathe their children by connecting a house pipe to their neighbours hot water tap. They also used water this way for washing up and flushing the toilet. Others were not so lucky. Nicole had to collect rain water and buy bottled water to manage whilst she was disconnected. She complained that it was very difficult to flush the toilet and flies started to accumulate in the bathroom making it a very unhygienic way to live.
Most council tenants find it difficult to keep up with water payments as they now have to pay these bills separately from their rent. Many do not see their water bill as a priority and as a result, fall behind with payments, making it increasingly difficult to get out of debt.
If you are falling behind with your water payments and are finding it difficult to cope with a build up of bills, seek debt helpimmediately before you are drained of your finances as well as your water!
Debt often starts with something simple, like a hard to pay bill or an unexpected increase in fees, but there are ways to get back in control whether it be a simple consolidated loan, or for larger debts, an IVA or debt management plan.
Low-income households are more at risk of water debt, especially those with dependant children.
As water bills continue to increase, some water companies are taking a more lenient approach to retrieving debt related to water charges.
Others are becoming more threatening and demanding, hence the reason why customers in one part of the country had their water supply disconnected and others did not. Some shocked customers had their water supply disconnected with just 24 hours notice.
Water debt: A Case Study
Carol and Steve were disconnected for three weeks and had to rely on neighbours to help them bathe their children by connecting a house pipe to their neighbours hot water tap. They also used water this way for washing up and flushing the toilet. Others were not so lucky. Nicole had to collect rain water and buy bottled water to manage whilst she was disconnected. She complained that it was very difficult to flush the toilet and flies started to accumulate in the bathroom making it a very unhygienic way to live.
Most council tenants find it difficult to keep up with water payments as they now have to pay these bills separately from their rent. Many do not see their water bill as a priority and as a result, fall behind with payments, making it increasingly difficult to get out of debt.
If you are falling behind with your water payments and are finding it difficult to cope with a build up of bills, seek debt helpimmediately before you are drained of your finances as well as your water!
posted by teatreebergamot at 7/18/2007 04:52:00 AM
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