United Utilities announces bill amnesty for flood victims

Water bills will be suspended for customers who have been forced from their homes due to flooding in the North West, United Utilities has confirmed.

The North West water company will suspend all charges for those who have to move out of flood hit properties in Lancashire, Manchester and Cumbria, until customers are able to move back in.

The support applies to households and businesses in flood affected areas, including Salix Homes’ tenants in Salford.

The company is asking customers who have been forced to move out to make contact on the following numbers:

Domestic customers: 0800 912 7239

Business customers: 0345 072 6072

Customers will need to supply a temporary address along with the address of their empty, flood affected property.

Chandra Allen, head of customer services for United Utilities said: “We are suspending water and sewerage charges for North West customers who have had to move out of flooded homes and businesses, until they are ready to move back in. The last thing customers need at this extremely difficult time is to be billed for services they are not able to use.

“We’d ask customers to make contact as soon as they can, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

“We will also adjust bills for customers on water meters to cover any spike in water usage during the big clean-up if they get in touch. For example, if customers in flooded areas need to use hoses on paths and driveways, we’ll support customers to get these adjustments made to their bills as quickly as possible.”

Engineers from United Utilities are working hard to support customers in the wake of the latest flooding to hit the region, as well as making repairs to water and wastewater infrastructure damaged by the floods.

Further details can be found at www.unitedutilities.com