Why were we supposed to trust 'them'?In privatising the water companies the Govt idea was to reduce the size of the state so it would no longer be responsible and have to pay for investing in all the new and increasing infrastructure needed together with the maintenance required and that the companies buying shares in them would finance or find the finance for this. Only it didn't/doesn't work. Those that invested expected to also be paid dividends - or why bother invest in anything? The Govt also cut back on the Environment Agency's monitoring of what was happening and Ofwat wouldn't allow bills to be increased. So nothing like enough was invested in the infrastructure.There are many groups now fighting to try and get better regulation and service of and from the water companies so that we don't have so much sewage discharged into our waterways. However there is a lot less philanthropy nowadays and everybody seems to want something for nothing.There are some interesting programmes on what has been happening at Thames Water:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00284vnWith Victorian pipework in London (not the same as everywhere else) and a this is a world where everyone seems to think they can put anything on the market they fancy and not only call it flushable but encourage people to flush anything they want down the loo or down the drains blocking them costing millions of pounds to clear. Together with sudden heavy rainfall causing sewage discharges into the river when it rains heavily (instead of allowing it to back up into peoples' homes and streets) the situation has a lot to be desired.Without new services infrastructure a lot of construction work is impossible. Yet we happily continue to put in more bathrooms, showers, loos, en-suites, dishwashers, washing machines, swimming pools, jacuzzis and hot tubs etc than ever before. We're a long way from the Victorian bath set in front of the fire filled with hot water from the stove days but our infrastructure hasn't improved much.And every time there is a leak or a pipe-burst and a road has to be closed or narrowed for it to be mended the wails of frustration at a bit of disruption to a little bit of an absolutely huge network is enormous!River Action is one charity trying to change things:https://riveractionuk.com/Please contact Thames Water to talk to them about your water use and check whether or not you are paying too much and if they have any advice for you.www.thameswater.co.uk
Philippa Bond ● 28d