Oxfordshire couple receives £40,000 water bill error

An elderly couple in Oxfordshire received a shocking water bill of nearly £40,000. Robert Smith, 81, reacted strongly, saying it "was enough to give anybody a heart attack." After nearly two months, Thames Water has told them they no longer need to pay this amount. Robert and his wife, Patricia, 78, generally pay about £33 each month. The stress from the unexpected bill, which was caused by a leak, began to take a toll on their health. Robert stated he would wait for written confirmation of the cancellation before feeling relieved. The couple has lived in their two-bedroom bungalow for about 20 years without noticing any leaks. They reported low water pressure in August, and technicians later discovered a significant leak, which was fixed in November. On January 3, the couple received a bill indicating nothing was owed, but on January 27, they were surprised by a statement for £39,395. After Robert contacted Thames Water, the amount was revised in March to £37,688. Robert initially thought the situation was a joke. He questioned if Thames Water believed they were responsible for paying off the company’s broader debts. The company has been struggling with a £20 billion debt and secured a £3 billion rescue loan recently. Thames Water explained that the high bill came from outdated meter readings. They have since provided a leak allowance, reducing the couple's balance to £168.11. They credited this amount as a gesture of goodwill and apologized for the distress caused. The couple has also reached out to their local MP for assistance.