The Consumer Council for Water, NWL and OneVu work together

26th April 2007 – By working with the Consumer Council for Water, Northumbrian Water (NWL), Essex and Suffolk Water and OneVu have achieved a UK first in the water industry that could benefit the 1.9 million households that are serviced by NWL.

Northumbrian Water (NWL), Essex and Suffolk Water and OneVu have achieved a UK first in the water industry that could benefit the 1.9 million households that are serviced by NWL.

OneVu launched its unique service which lets people see, track and pay all their bills from the familiar, secure environment of their online bank at the end of last year. NWL were one of the first billers to offer this service, and NWL customers who bank with Lloyds TSB have been able to view a summary of their paper bill and pay since the launch.

Through an enhancement to the current service, NWL customers will shortly be able to opt out of receiving paper bills by being able to view a detailed electronic image of their paper bill. They have worked with the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) and OneVu, and all of the information that is required to be sent with the bill will be made available to customers through the secure environment of their online bank.

NWL was one of the first organisations in the country to sign up to the service as part of its commitment to providing services for its customers that make their lives easier and their interaction with the company more convenient. Since then both NWL and OneVu have been working closely to ensure the service meets and exceeds all legal communication and bill payment requirements laid down by the Consumer Council for Water.

Miles Quitmann, Commercial Director at OneVu explains: “Whilst water companies such as NWL will continue to send out paper bills to any customers that want them, this service will enable others to choose to view and pay their bills online. Many will find this more convenient and will support the environmentally friendly aspects of the service particularly in terms of a reduction in wastage.

“There are an estimated 18 million UK adults with an online bank account today - around 46% of the adult population. According to APACs this is expected to rise to in excess of 23 million by 2010. Presenting bills and processing payments for those bills through the online banks, offers billers access to an audience that is growing rapidly. A large number of forward-thinking billing organisations like NWL are already responding to this powerful opportunity,” concludes Miles.

Editor’s note:

OneVu is a joint venture between Voca (formerly BACS Ltd), which processes over 4 billion financial transactions each year, and CheckFree Corporation, the global leader in financial electronic commerce services.

For further information please contact:
Judith Thompson, The Weston Partnership,
Tel: 01403 891 514
07771 591 501
judith@westonpartnership.co.uk