South West Water launches reservoir recovery customer incentive

South West Water has offered its Cornish customers a bill rebate in exchange for a consumption cut. If Colliford reservoir recovers to 30% by 31 December 2022, customers will receive a £30 rebate on their bill.

This action has been driven by river flows and reservoir levels in Cornwall reaching historically low levels this summer. The company said the incentive, if paid, would result in a reduction to (non-underlying) revenue of c£10m in its 2022/23 half year results.

The first of a kind initiative is part of a package seeking to secure supplies. Other actions include:

• investment in Hawkstor reservoir, purchased earlier in 2022, and work at three other water sources in Cornwall;

• providing over 45,000 water saving devices to customers and targeted customer side leak repairs;

• longer-term investments, including the new Cheddar 2 reservoir in the Bristol region which will be included in South West Water's forthcoming Water Resources Management Plan; and

• £27m investment under Green Recovery funding in the water grid, improving South West Water’s ability to move water throughout its region to where it is needed the most.