Ofwat to fine Thames Water £12 million

Water watchdog Ofwat has today said that it plans to fine Thames Water over £12 million.

The fine - £11.1 million for failing to provide “robust information” and £1.4 million for poor service and failing to give customers payments they were entitled to – follows a probe last year by Ofwat.

Tim Wolfenden, Head of Home Services at uSwitch.com, the independent comparison and switching service, comments: “It’s good to see Ofwat sticking up for the consumer, but if this large fine is imposed it could divert money away from the vital investment needed in our worn out water systems. If this is not to be a case of ‘cutting off the nose to spite the face’ any action taken by Ofwat must be balanced and in consideration of what serves the consumer interest best.”