A water company is giving customers better service than anywhere else in the country - but charging them the most too.

For the third year running Manningtree-based Tendring Hundred Water has been given a five-star rating by the water industry watchdog, Ofwat.

In four of the six key customer service measures, Tendring Hundred Water demonstrated the best performance of all of the 23 water companies in England and Wales. In another, it ranked third in the industry.

General manager, Andrew Smith, said: "Our customers lie at the heart of our business and our commitment to them is illustrated in these results."

The company's results for 2000/2001 showed the number of payment or billing inquiries fell by eight per cent with more than 98.8 per cent of people being answered within five working days.

The number of written complaints fell by 21 per cent, and all complaints were answered within ten working days.

Despite a 27 per cent increase in the number of metered accounts, 100 per cent of metered customers received a bill based upon an actual meter reading during the year.

There were 12 unplanned interruptions of more than six hours during the year.

However, the company is still the most expensive in the country, with an average bill of £142, compared to a national average of £105.

The company has defended its prices, saying it had the country's lowest domestic usage, with a dispersed population and no local sources of water.

By Mark Beales

Reporter's e-mail: mark_beales@thisisessex.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.