'Huge relief' over South West Water trial opt out

Torquay resident Jacqui Rowe said she was concerned being on the trial would mean higher water bills

People who had been put on a controversial water tariff trial by South West Water (SWW) have said they are relieved they have now been able to opt out, after originally being told by the company that was not possible.

Those on the seasonal tariff trial pay more for water during the summer, but a discounted rate in the winter.

"Finally we've been allowed to opt out", Torquay resident Jacqui Rowe said.

SWW said: "The trials are not compulsory for household customers and we will of course listen to any customer who may not want to take part."

A total of 3,500 SWW household customers were selected to be on the trial of two new tariffs, including in Devon, Cornwall, Bristol and Bournemouth.

“It's a huge relief”, Ms Rowe said.

The Torquay resident said she had contacted SWW several times about opting out of the trial before receiving an email confirming she had been removed from the trial "with immediate effect".

She said: “It was definitely going to cost us more.

“My family come down on holiday in the summer, there’s more showering and washing.”

Jacqui Rowe received an email from SWW which said the company understood "not everyone feels ready, or wants to have these changes".

Those on the seasonal tariff will be given a lower rate for water between October and the end of March, but the cost will be three times higher for the rest of the year - during the summer months.

Customers on the summer peak tariff will get a lower than normal base price for water, which then increases once a usage threshold is met.

Torbay Councillor Hazel Foster said residents had contacted her to say they were "over the moon" at being able to opt out of the trial.

“People are over the moon”, Torbay councillor Hazel Foster said.

“SWW have now done a U-turn and they are now saying residents can come off the trial."

Foster said the residents she had spoken to were “happy to try and save water” but angry at being told they could not opt out of the trial.

“To be told you’ve got to go on it. That’s what’s got them angry”.

She said she had been contacted by 11 residents who have now been contacted to ay they can opt out.

The trial is being supported by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) and Ofwat.

The regulator has previously said "most customers" on the trial will be better off as a result.

SWW said the scheme is designed to be revenue neutral, so whilst some customers will see a small increase, the majority will save.

'Sledgehammer to crack a nut'

MP for Torbay Steve Darling said: "We've gone from a red light for people to have choice over this, to a green light where people can choose their own destiny."

He added: "It's important that we all play our part in protecting the environment and reducing water usage but this is a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

Clive Asher from Torquay said opting out "was a very easy process".

Clive Asher from Torquay said: “My main reason for opting out was that I live in a flat and my water usage is constant throughout the year.

"I can’t save water”, the 78 year-old said.

South West Water said: “Our customers have told us they want us to find new ways of charging and we want to make sure that the bills our customers pay are fair and reflect their usage.

"As part of this work we are trialling two new innovative tariffs to understand what works well and what our customers consider to be fair ways of charging.

“The trials are not compulsory for household customers and we will of course listen to any customer who may not want to take part in the trial.

"All feedback is valuable feedback. We hope that our customers will want to remain part of this so that we can help people to only pay for the water they use."