What do customers think about hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions?

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What do customers think about hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions?

The most recent research we have shows that customers accept that it is reasonable that there should be occasional hosepipe and sprinkler bans. Other research studies have shown that they would like to see the risk of restrictions reduced, but would not pay higher bills to achieve this.

Customers place great importance on water companies maintaining reliable and continuous supplies of water. Water companies usually operate with the risk of having to impose hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions once every ten years. Customers have told us they are broadly satisfied with this level of service.

However, we recognise that customers' views may be different when they are faced with restrictions on their use of water.

(Sources: MVA research for PR04, Dec 2003; Understanding Customers' Views. Ofwat / DVL Smith research 2001; Consumers' Response to Water Restrictions, Mori research for Water UK, October 2005.)