Householders in North Lancashire are receiving apology letters and promises of compensation after being left without water for days.
United Utilities has been writing to residents after the issues with the water supply in North Lancashire before Christmas and will pay out to anyone who suffered a loss of supply for 12 hours or more.
The water company turned off the water in Morecambe on December 19, affecting around 16,000 properties, to deal with an unprecedented number of pipe leaks and bursts caused by a freeze-thaw in weather temperatures. There were also issues in Heysham, Lancaster, Carnforth and the surrounding areas, with many customers being left without water for two days or more.
United Utilities has said that anyone without water for more than 12 hours will receive £30 for the first 12 hours and then a further £30 for each additional 12 hour period. It will be paid via cheque, BACs or a credit to their water account depending on how each individual customer’s account is set up.
Compensation will be paid automatically and the company says customers do not need to contact them about it.
A resident of the Morecambe Road area sent us the message he'd received from the water company about compensation.
It said: "I would like to sincerely apologise for the issues you have experienced with your water supply. We know that having either low water pressure or no water for any length of time is a real inconvenience and I wanted to explain what happened. "The problem was caused by the recent freezing weather conditions, followed by the rapid rise in temperature. Many customers and United Utilities experienced frozen pipes during this time, which then split and burst as the temperature increased. This caused an unprecedented amount of leaks across the network, on customers’ own pipes either inside their homes or on their underground water supply pipes. "In your area, the amount of leaking pipes resulted in so much water being lost from our network that it meant that your water pressure was either very low or you had no water for a period of time. At one point, we were supplying more water into our network of pipes than we’ve ever done before to try and cope with the amount of water being lost through leaks. "We have lots of data loggers out across the network on our pipes so we can see who is experiencing disruption at any point in time, and this helps us to identify how long you were effected and what payment we need to make to you as an apology for the disruption. From our data we can see that you had continuous loss of supply for over 48 hours which means in line with our guaranteed standards of service we will make a payment of £120.00. "You don’t need to do anything, the total amount of £120.00 will be sent to you by cheque and you should receive it within the next 7 working days."
The resident said he was very pleased with the amount of compensation.
As regards compensation for businesses which had to close during the water shutdown, United Utilities said: "All business customers who were without a water supply continuously for more than 12 hours will automatically receive compensation and this will be paid proactively to the their retailer who will then make arrangements for how the businesses receive it.
"In terms of financial loss, we are advising businesses to check with their insurer to see if they can claim for any losses they may have incurred."
Related Stories: Water to go off for 24 hours in Morecambe as homes and businesses hit by "multiple pipe bursts and leaks" - Beyond Radio
Anger as residents in Morecambe still without water after supplies restored - Beyond Radio
Friends from Morecambe to take on Ultra Marathon for brave toddler
Firefighters and swim centre team give key water safety message on Morecambe school visit
Police probe after stolen motorbike being ridden dangerously found in Morecambe
Man arrested in Lancaster after bridge jump hoax call
Local hospice wins national award for Will donation campaign
Cash boost for babies and families at Royal Lancaster Infirmary after fundraising at local golf club
Morecambe’s Pride in Place Board give update on West End investment programme
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
