United Utilities has enacted its pandemic response plan to ensure frontline services remain uninterrupted if the scale of the coronavirus outbreak significantly worsens.
A spokesperson said this is the first time the company has had to use the “well-rehearsed” plan, which includes an “extendibility plan” looking at resourcing for a three-month period mapped against worst case scenarios.
They told Utility Week the company is also offering a payment break scheme for any customers whose earnings or employment are negatively affected by coronavirus.
The scheme was previously offered as a short-term facility for customers on low incomes who struggle to pay their bills and has been extended to assist people who may run into issues because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company can delay bills payments for a set period, then when payment is reinstated the debt can be spread over a longer period to allow householders to catch up on payments without risking slipping into debt because of it.
Meanwhile, Ofwat and water companies across the country are closely following government and Public Health England advice on protecting the health of staff and customers.
With the situation liable to change rapidly the sector is poised to react to advice as updates are received.
South West Water said it is continuously reviewing its contingency plans in relation to coronavirus. A spokesperson said the company is “confident” it will continue to provide the level of service its customers expect.
Elsewhere Castle Water implemented travel restrictions from last week, cancelled its customer conference and halted all external meetings.