Yes, and our bank has recommended SO payments in the past, for the same reasons. First, SWW will be told by registered letter that they aren't getting two instalments for the full amount, but that we will be paying monthly out of our pension, to avoid hardship. Difficult to see how they could argue. According to the SWW website "other ways to pay" there are no SO options, but they do state several methods. It seems one must use their published account number and sort code; the reference is our 10 digit Customer Reference number (found on the first page of the bill). SWW will not be controlling our life or causing trouble in future; we'll take it to OFWAT if necessary. Regards.

Many thanks for the quick responses above. SWW won't get the amounts they're demanding, anyway, because we simply can't afford it. Energy companies provide pre-payment cards which are really very useful ways to budget. We can't risk losing money if they take too much from our account, and having asked SWW about a card in the past, SWW do not offer a savers card facility. We're worried as SWW can be very intimidating. Thankyou all very much.

Hi, perhaps someone here might have some good advice. Southwest Water has just sent us a demand for advance payment for water supplies (probably estimated) , payable in two instalments. Up til now we've always paid weekly or monthly, but we've never trusted direct debits to anyone , and with good reason. Now suddenly Southwest Water want to take nearly my entire pension for two months. What do these people think folk are supposed to live on? I would like to ask if they can demand the whole amount like this, and what can we do? To be absolutely honest they have always been difficult and a right pain, for many years. We're also now aware they've been the "second worst for complaints" in the past. No surprises there. Two questions if we may: 1) Should we set up a standing order (SO) for a corresponding monthly amount amount from our bank to our Southwest Water account. Or b) There is no way they are getting my pension for two months, so what can Southwest Water do about our choosing to pay monthly by standing order? Thanks and kind regards.