To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to running water in (a) social and (b) privately-rented housing during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered on
22 May 2020
Under the Security and Emergency Measures Direction 1998, water companies are obliged to maintain plans to ensure the provision of essential water supply at all times. Water companies have been monitoring the adequacy of supply for all properties during the COVID-19 outbreak. They do not distinguish between provision of supply to social, privately rented and privately owned properties.
In addition, water companies cannot disconnect household water supply for the non-payment of charges. All water companies also provide a range of support for vulnerable customers and those struggling with affordability. For example, all water companies have social tariff schemes in place to provide discounted water bills to those eligible.