Northumbrian Water Group plc Reviews 

189
TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 60 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Consumers frequently praise the dedicated staff members who handle inquiries with professionalism and great politeness. Many people find the digital customer support channels incredibly convenient for securing fast assistance. Clients often mention how quickly field teams arrive to resolve urgent leaks and drainage problems. Some reviewers were not happy with lingering communication gaps and prolonged delays in getting fixes. A few other people also felt that billing practices and meter maintenance issues caused considerable frustration. Additionally, some customers experienced poor follow-up after service visits left their properties in messy conditions.

What people talk about most

Service

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of service, with many customers praising the quick response times,... See more

Customer service

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about customer service, as experiences vary significantly. While many... See more

Staff

Consumers find staff to be positive, highlighting their helpfulness, efficiency, and professional approach... See more

Payment

Users describe ambiguous interactions with payment, with consumers reporting unexpected charges and credit... See more

Response time

Customers had ambiguous experiences with response time, as some reviewers praised the prompt and helpful... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

On Friday 6/2/26 I was notified that there was a burst pipe about half a dozen doors away from me. I received several updates from NW during the course of the day. By the evening it said the leak ha... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Tenant moved out so informed water company of this as outstanding debt owed from tenant. They said to me as the landlord they would offer free water supply for me to decorate, wash floors and make c... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I used the WhatsApp messaging service to contact Northumbrian Water about a non-emergency issue. They replied within the hour. Molly, the customer service agent, was very helpful. She answered my ques... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

After sitting in queues of traffic trying to get out of a hospital due to the water board fixing repairs which I know need doing but the impact it was having trying to get off site was ridiculous. I m... See more


Company details

  1. Water Utility Company
  2. Water Treatment Supplier

Written by the company

Providing water supply updates & help with #water #wastewater #customerservice queries M-F 8am-8pm. Out of hours emergency number: 03457171100


Contact info

3.3

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

189 reviews

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No recent history of asking for reviews

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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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3.3

All reviews

(189)

60 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

After Northumbrian Water had located my…

After Northumbrian Water had located my water stop valve in my garden, (which was around 2 metres below ground level) a couple of lads from United Utilities arrived first thing to dig out the surrounding area, with a cheery attitude and ready for the job in hand.
Graham and James never stopped until they got their part of the work done, then an employee from Northumbrian Water called Jonathan arrived to sort out the new valve.
I must say all three sorted what looked to me to be an impossible job and it was completed around 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
They advised the backfill team would be coming next to fill in the surrounding are where the new stop valve has been placed.
I now have a fresh stop valve where it should've been in the first place, in sight of anyone who would need to get to it.
Great job...well done to all.

28 March 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service again!

Great customer service again!
I contacted Northumbrian Water via their online chat facility as there's sewage works being carried out on the back on my property and I wanted an update as I'm selling my home and a viewer has commented on the site.
The lady on the chat (Mary) advised they're on schedule to be finished soon but someone from the site would in touch. The next day the site manager rang me to confirm all is going to plan and they're even a week ahead to schedule. Also if I wanted email confirmation to show potential buyers that he'd be happy to help. Surely enough I received an email the next day from him (David) which confirmed everything... so helpful!

20 March 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I'm paying 48 pounds a month for my…

I'm paying 48 pounds a month for my water even though I live in a bedsit. My other family members don't pay that much for a house a month, so can someone explain why I'm paying this much for a bedsit please,

15 March 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Paying to much

Bill was £335 for next year but wanting to set direct debit up at almost £42 per month over 12 months . Asked why and said outstanding balance was £55 . That’s because I’ve got feb and March payment to come out . Still wouldnt have it . Eventually got direct debit down to £30 per month am going to be £30 in credit by next March . Cost of living crisis people are trying to lower bills not put them up

8 February 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very unpleasant telephone manner anner

Rang to inform them of error made at their end with figures I supplied at their request.the person I spoke to was very unhelpful & certainly not customer focused.i rang back as I was quite upset & the person I then spoke to was just the opposite.

9 February 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good customer service

I had a move recently and it's always really stressful having to contact all the companies to tell them about the change. NWL have been one of the easiest companies to deal with. I'm unable to use the phone which is usually a a major obstacle, but they helped me through social media. Whenever I get in touch they're always friendly and not robotic which is really nice. I gave my final meter reading and was able to get my final bill immediately instead of having to wait months. It was all very smooth.

The only problem I've had is the 'Remember me' button on the website only remembers the email, so you have to type your password every time. It would be helpful if it kept me logged in.

19 December 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I do not know what has has happened to…

I do not know what has has happened to Northumbrian Water but it seems to have gone down hill with ownership changes.My troubles started some months ago when my neighbour reported strange noises (we were on shared supply)and NW said it was burst pipe underneath house which we were responaible for not them. My n eighbour had hers fixed but I had to find the money . NW put me in touch with Kent & Essex for financial support, After a lengthy wait I was told I did not qualify. I then was able to get the cost and arranged a price with them to go ahead as someone had been out to check what was needed. Nothing happened and on enquiring about the delay was told I had not paid. No one said upfront payment was required before they would do the work! most unusual practice! Another man came ou to see what was to be done and informed me I had to have a box on my wall. I objected and was told it was to help access to pipes and was com pulsory. I pointed out that no one else has a box why me? I was given tech ic al reasons which were beyond me. After numderous calls another man came out to measure up and told me the box could be put inside my house and I would not have to have my yard dug up to put in the new water pipe and disconnect the old. Aso the stop tap could be inside instead of on
outside wallMuch easier for them but involving copper pipes along my inside kichen wall. I vetoed that and said I already had a stop tap just outside my gate, newly changed by them after a flowback and flood in my yard.They made a date to come and do the job this Saturday 26th November. The box for the stop tap would go on the wall!! Yesterday an e mail arrived asking me to pay the invoice b ut what alarmed me was the work was listed as "RE-LOCATING METER TO PRIVATE YARD!"This can only refer to a water meter which I have never had and do not want There was no mention of the leaking pipe which is undermining the foundations of my house. They seem hell bent on forcing a meter on me for their benefit.I use very little water anyway as I live alone. Far from customer care and the fact I am a priority customer being 91 and disabled, they have treated me abominably and lied to me time after time. I called over two hours ago and again a short while ago to get this matter sorted and was told someone would ring me. No one has and I must leave for medica. Now I have no option but to escalate a complaint to Ofwat. I am in utter disbelief with this company. although I must add I had good response to my flood and a member of staff who though not dealing withthis matter, has tried to get someone to help.The one bright spot in a dismal saga.

22 November 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Constant harassment

We are sick to death of being hassled by this company either by text or letter. We pay every month which is the required amount so why on earth do they badger us. People are doing their best in trying circumstances so just back off and have more tact.

10 November 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Spot on Job by Neil and Jay.

I had to call out Northubrian water roday due to a blockage. Neil and Jay are the guy's that came out to my property in the Billingham area, and I just want to say a huge thank you to you both. Very friendly, professional and efficient. You guy's done a fantastic job and I am extremely grateful to you, thank you again for a job well done, very much appreciated.

27 September 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Can't fault them

Can't fault them
Customer service when needed has been brilliant, prices are reasonable (everyone wants cheaper). For a water company, good all round

20 September 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bad call hadlers

I contacted n w today to follow up a request for a water meter, made in March. The way I was spoken to was abhorrent and upsetting. Because I am not the account holder, my landlord is,I was unable to get any relevant information. I PAY for MY Water bills, so why can I not get to discuss my requirements.

1 September 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dishonest and Uncaring

On 24th August 2022 I received a reply to a discussion I had with this company on 7 January 2022. That reply contained lies and inaccuracies.

On that call in January, the litigation advisor, Carol, started with expressing her empathy about the past 18 months in my life when I suffered severe depression, placed on antidepressants due to suicidal thoughts, resulting from my daughter taken from me, divorce petition based on lies, Chelmsford County Court allowing the lies as it related to their employee, unlawful court judgments, corrupt child maintenance service, debt, but most of all, my Mum being diagnosed with cancer in August 2021, her health rapidly deteriorating in October 2021, and very sadly passing away in November 2021, with her funeral in December 2021.

Carol said she would talk to her manager about the default registered on my file and let me know if it could be removed. I said I would pay the balance on 20th January 2022, which I did.
I never heard again from Carol, despite us agreeing for me to call her on 20th January to make payment.

My house is sold now, I'm temporarily living with my sister whilst waiting for financial order to be resolved. The default is affecting my credit file and I reached out to this company. They responded saying they won't remove the default as they've done nothing wrong and it wouldn't be fair on other customers in similar situations.

I genuinely hope no-one is in a similar situation to what I was in, but I also appreciate people have been in far worse situations.

The reason I'm posting this is because this company has lied, is dishonest, and do not care about the customer. Carol went to talk to her manager about the default due to my personal circumstances - there was no discussion about whether they had done anything wrong as there was no dispute.

Claire Loughlin, who sent the response told me they owe me £200 as I no longer live at the address, but made payment on 20th June 2022 which was in excess of what I owe. Claire asked for my address so she could send me a cheque. Why would I want to wait for a cheque, at a time when we have the highest inflation rate for decades? I never made payment by cheque.

I replied immediately with my bank details requesting my monies are returned immediately. It takes no more than half an hour to transfer the money, but 3 days later I don't have it.

In summary, they claim to care, and ironically Claire is in the 'Customer Care Team', but all they care about is getting their money. They took mine on 20th January 2022, didn't bother to reply about the default notice on my credit file, and stuck two fingers up to me.

They took over 2 weeks to reply to my chase up, and their response was full of lies and inaccuracies. Now I have asked for my money back direct to my account, they stuck their fingers up again.

Dishonest and Uncaring.

26 August 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Simple, straightforward, and easy to use.

These guys are honestly wonderful. Doing the water bill is so simple compared to everything else. It was incredibly fast and easy to set up a direct debit for the duration of my stay and I never have to think about it.
Letters are fine, very informative and pleasant. I genuinely couldn't ask for more.

17 August 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Rubbish service…

They take your block drive up to repair collapsed pipe ,and say you'll never no its been up , oh yes it does and won't do anything about it , they come back to to have look 20th April 2022 and said they would get back to us with what they are going to do ,my wife phoned up today and ask what's happening ? Guess what they rang up and said they are going nothing about it 16.45hrs , took them all that time ,they just thought we would forget , utter rubbish service ,block drive never they same ,

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Grim experience - 55 minutes to answer phone !

A GRIM experience. Called to sort out a problem and automated response advised possible 55 minute wait.
I gave up after 30 - - - What has happened to what was an excellent service. I'm not sure which nation owns it now but they need to sort their act out.

28 April 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Returned to complete job

Around November time we had a blocked joint drain between our neighbours and our house, phoned up NWL and they sent someone out to have a look, next day they jetted the line but said they would have to come back to finish it within 3 weeks, nobody came back so I phoned them up and was told I would get a phone call to arrange again, never received the call so ended up buying draining rods and drain cleaner and cleaned it myself, what a waste of time and money the whole situation was, just had them back and they’ve done a great job

3 April 2022
Unprompted review
Northumbrian Water Group plc logo

Reply from Northumbrian Water Group plc

Hello Mr Hastie, I'm sorry to hear of the service you've received. I have contacted the relevant department today and requested that someone makes contact with you as soon as possible. Thank you for providing us with your feedback.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What a complete waste of oxygen these…

What a complete waste of oxygen these people are. I have contacted various people with regard to a query about adding another toilet but they all send me to a link online which explains nothing. I have explained on numerous times that I am not a developer just a householder and the link they keep sending me too is obviously for businesses. Ive given up tyring to get info off these numpties Pointless the lot of them.

24 March 2022
Unprompted review
Northumbrian Water Group plc logo

Reply from Northumbrian Water Group plc

Thanks for providing your contact details Mr Robinson, we will get in touch with your directly, sorry you've had a frustrating time

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