Newport couple to sue Severn Trent for ‘laughable’ compensation

David and Tracey Bradley plan to take Severn Trent to court

BBC David and Tracey sat next to each other; He is wearing a royal blue fleece and she is wearing an orange printed blouse with a khaki vest over it. They are sitting in front of a cabinet with teapots, cups and a fruit bowl. — David and Tracey Bradley plan to take Severn Trent to court

A couple plan to take Severn Trent to court for compensation after a digital water meter “failed”.

David and Tracey Bradley, who live near Newport, Shropshire, said the compensation offered by the water company did not cover the costs they incurred.

In May 2024 they were left without water for more than a week after the installation of a digital water meter.

The firm said it had “had no further contact with Mr and Mrs Bradley since September after we offered them compensation totaling £1,280, and we have not currently received notification of a legal claim”.

The couple said a revolving door of contractors visited their home, but the problem persisted and took months to fix.

Bradley denies that the money offered constitutes compensation, saying the £1,280 includes covering mediation fees and “free water”; described their offer as “laughable.”

He said the company offered “£500 for three months of absolute misery, while our out-of-pocket costs amounted to £600 and the damage to our kitchen is estimated at at least £1,000.”

He added that the company told them it was not responsible for any damage caused by the subcontractors.

“Frankly, I’m speechless. It’s immoral and unfair, particularly to Tracey,” he said.

Mrs Bradley, pictured after a night shift, had to make a 50-mile round trip to wash her nursing uniform.

David Bradley A woman walking down a driveway, carrying a bowl of water and a watering can. She wears a royal blue nurse's uniform with a dark blue coat over it. — Mrs Bradley, pictured after a night shift, had to make a 50-mile round trip to wash her nursing uniform.

Mrs Bradley is a hospice nurse who works night shifts, so she had to drive to Staffordshire to stay with her family to sleep and wash her uniform.

She said she was “shocked” by the company’s handling of the situation.

“I wouldn’t be able to do my job and provide the same kind of attention and care that they provide, it’s really appalling,” she said.

“We are very disappointed in a great company that has made these promises.”

Mr and Mrs Bradley now believe the digital water meter would never have worked due to the rural area’s poor signal, leaving them feeling their months of stress were in vain.

He added that he wanted a “reasonable and fair offer to compensate Tracey for what she happened.”

“I’m worried that someone who’s not as vocal as us is going to have to go through this and not be able to make a fuss,” Ms. Bradley said.

“Surely we must recover some standards.”

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “We have apologized to Mr and Mrs Bradley for the issues that arose following the meter work and we want to work towards a positive resolution with them.”