Thames Water has announced that it will make discretionary payments of £2,500 to school affected by recent water supply issues and offer an education package of visits to Thames Water sites and talks by staff on STEM subjects.

The payments are part of a compensation scheme for customers and schools affected by weather-related supply interruptions. Isolated cases where households are experiencing supply issues were ongoing last week - the utility was working throughout the weekend to address any outstanding interruptions.

The freezing conditions and snow followed by a rapid thaw had a major impact on water companies across the UK. A surge in leaks and bursts triggered water supply interruptions, which have now been resolved. Thames described the event as both “large in scale and technically complex to resolve.”

Thames Water will compensate affected customers over and above the statutory minimum of £20 for more than 12 hours’ interruption. Customers will receive £30 if they were affected for between four and 12 hours, rising to £150 for up to 72 hours.

Thames Water has apologised for the disruption caused to teaching staff, parents and pupils.

Thames Water’s CEO Steve Robertson said:

“We’re really sorry for the disruption to water supplies. We completely understand the distress and inconvenience it caused and it is right that customers and schools affected are properly compensated. This was a highly complex situation and we worked round the clock to get everything back to normal as quickly as possible.”