Ofwat has launched a short consultation on its updated Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS) guidance – the GSS Regulations 2008 set out the minimum standards of service that customers should receive, and the minimum payments that customers should receive if the standards are not met.

From today onwards water companies will be required to pay households in England up to £2,000 in compensation payments for water service failures including disruptions to supply, sewer flooding and low pressure.

Water customers around the country will benefit from significantly higher payments to compensate them for water company service failures, the Government has confirmed today, saying that water companies are “to be forced to double compensation for failures.”

The Government has today launched a consultation to double reimbursement for water company customers when their basic water services are hit.

Most customers in England and Wales are unaware they could be entitled to a payment if their water company fails to meet certain service standards, according to new research conducted by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).

The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has applauded seven water companies for boosting compensation for people that are left without running water – and called on the rest of the industry to follow suit.

Water industry regulator Ofwat has issued a call for evidence to inform a review looking to update and uplift the compensation provided to customers when they are without access to water.