heard a very interesting programme on the radio this afternoon about the financial structure of the water companies. It mainly focused on Thames Water and Southern Water. Can't remember all the details but Thames Water has a subsiduary company which collects the water rates from customers and uses it to pay dividends on bonds from foreign investors. Very little is kept for maintenance and new works. It was frightening to hear how much debt these companies have and customers have no choice who supplies them with water.
Fortunately our supplier, United Utilities, is still privately owned and does not have this problem.