Open Letter to Thames Water
Date: 9 Aug 2006 at 19:27
I am making contact to address the Panorama episode of August 6th.
I am most indignant that Thames Water failed to respond to the BBC's questions at any point at the Reading office. This was an occasion for your firm to address its customers amid the water problems to a recognised public broadcasting service and instead, TW showed the BBC and the public its utter contempt. I find this attitude and evasion highly unacceptable.
Your company may have invested so much in its operation but still makes huge profits. Profits are fine but the magnitude made relative to your shocking level of service (failing for example to have met your leak reduction targets for SIX years in a row) suggests your priorities are wholly misbalanced.
I have made efforts to save water myself but it is very frustrating to have to make these cuts when I know your pipes are gushing water like Niagra Falls. In West Berks where I live, your firm has taken a month to fix some reported leaks; why can't they be fixed the week they are reported? This level of shoddy performance suggests your firm is highly hypocritical in that you say one thing and do another (or do nothing).
I was also highly dismayed to see a similar contemtible atitude shown by to the BBC by your parent firm RWE on a visit to Germany when an interview had been requested. RWE were totally evasive about the shortcomings of TW and refused to answer even basic questions.I can only conclude that RWE do not run Thames Water with German efficiency.
It's time your firm got its act together and I don't expect higher bills to result whilst your Directors act like robber barons on our money. I have contacted my MP who is well aware of your shortcomings. I'd advise you to raise your game before regulation forces you to do so.
Sincerely