Woman drained over water fiasco

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bradford/7722441.stm

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The family of a woman who had spent 16 years paying her next door neighbour's water bill said the experience has affected her psychologically.

Jean Shaw, 50, of Teasel Close in Bradford, became increasingly concerned about her water bills - more so when it doubled in one quarter alone.

After investigations Yorkshire Water found a meter incorrectly connected and offered £150 compensation.

But Ms Shaw's family said she has now become obsessed with saving water.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said the problems began 16 years ago when Mrs Shaw's property had to have a water meter fitted.

Engineers dug down and found what they considered the right pipe and fitted the meter.

But the layout of the underground pipes meant the meter was actually recording supplies used by the people in the next door property.

'Worst scenario'

It was only after a larger family moved in next door that Ms Shaw saw the bills increase dramatically.

After she contacted the water firm, specialist engineers carried out a series of tests, including switching off the water supply to her house, only to find the meter still running.

Yorkshire Water said they accepted the mistake was theirs and said it had been a "worst possible scenario" with the customer paying somebody else's bill.

A spokesman said the firm had offered Ms Shaw £150 compensation and offered to go through the bills to see if any overpayments had been made.

Ms Shaw's mother, Margaret Wallbank, said her daughter had been left scarred by the episode.

She said: "She's obsessed with water. When she goes out, she'll say 'you'll be careful how much water you use; you'll watch it won't you'.

"In this day and age you shouldn't have to think about things like that, should you, really?

"I know you shouldn't turn your tap on and take water for granted, but she's not a spendthrift with water, she's very careful with water, and, of course, it's rubbed on to us."