WATER company representatives will take to the streets of Hartlepool to ask customers how money raised from their bills should be spent.
Hartlepool Water, which is part of Anglian Water, has launched its biggest ever customer consultation called Discover, Discuss, Decide.
It asks people how they think Hartlepool Water should keep bills fair and affordable while tackling challenges like population growth and climate change.
Their opinions will play a key role in shaping the company’s business plan which goes to the regulator, Ofwat, next year.
In it, the company must make its case, laying out the areas it believes need investment. It will ultimately decide how much Anglian is allowed to raise from bills until the end of the decade.
Kevin Ensell, the operations manager from Hartlepool Water, said: “This consultation is the opportunity for customers to share their opinions and help shape the future of our region.
“What our customers tell us really will influence our investment plans and the size of customers’ bills over the next five years.
“We’re going out to town centre to make it even easier for people to have their say and not miss this opportunity.
“We really do want to know what you think, and the more opinions we can get the more weight they will carry with our regulator.”
Staff in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre will be encouraging people to take part, as well as entering participants into a prize draw for hundreds of pounds worth of shopping vouchers.
Mr Ensell added: “In every area of work, be it maintaining our pipes, pumps and treatment works, protecting the environment, or making sure supply matches demand. We have to decide where our priorities should be.
“We have to balance people’s different needs and expectations while keeping bills fair and affordable.
“Hundreds of people have already made their opinion count using the online consultation and at similar stands across town centres earlier this week. But we want as many people as possible to have their say and join in on the discussion to help shape the region’s future.”
The consultation runs until Sunday, March 10, and people can take part by visiting www.discoverdiscussdecide.co.uk.
Teams of staff will be visiting Middleton Grange on Monday, February 25, and Tuesday, February 26.
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