5,000 NHS workers apply for water bill rebate

More than 5,000 frontline NHS workers have applied for a water bill rebate from Bristol Water and Wessex Water.

The water companies joined forces to introduce support for those NHS staff on a water meter who would have seen an increase in their water bill due to having to wash their uniform more regularly at home, because of pandemic restrictions.

Those eligible for the rebate can claim up to £50 off their Wessex Water or Bristol Water bill, ensuring they won’t be paying more than they normally would.

Within days of the companies launching the uniform washing rebate, more than 5,000 frontline NHS workers, including nurses, doctors and paramedics, from the region, had applied.

‘As we are following strict national guidance on infection prevention and control we need to wash our uniforms more and my machine can be on twice a day,’ said NHS worker, Karen Triggs.

‘This is a really challenging time for the NHS and our colleagues really appreciate all the help that we are getting from organisations such as Bristol Water and Wessex Water. We’d like to thank them for their amazing support.’

The executive director of Retail and Commercial, who runs Wessex Water and Bristol Water’s billing services company, Charley Maher said: ‘We felt it was only right that a rebate should be provided in recognition of NHS workers who are washing their own uniforms at home.

‘During this period the NHS uniformed staff are having to wash their clothes more often as they are working more shifts than in normal times. And all their clothes now have to be washed separately to their normal loads.

‘We don’t think it’s fair for these workers to pay more for their water given that they are at the very front line of the fight against Coronavirus , which is why we’re offering the rebate,’ added Maher.

The rebate applies to customers on a water meter who receive their water supply from either Wessex Water or Bristol Water.

For more information and to apply for the NHS rebate visit wessexwater.co.uk/NHSrebate

Photo Credit – MikesPhotos (Pixabay)