Put simply, it’s a free, voluntary list that water companies like Southern Water use to flag customers who might need a bit of extra help. Think of it as a VIP pass for when things go wrong, but the VIP treatment is actually useful—like getting bottled water delivered to your door during a supply interruption.
It’s not just for the elderly, either. The register is for anyone with a medical condition, a disability, a mental health issue, or even if you have young children and rely on a constant water supply. If you can’t easily carry heavy bottles or dash to the shops, this is for you.
What does Southern Water actually do for you?
Honestly, more than you’d expect from a utility company. If you’re on the list, they’ll prioritise your water supply restoration during planned or emergency outages. They’ll also deliver bottled water directly to your home if the tap goes dry—no queueing at the supermarket.
They can even provide alternative facilities if your sewer service is affected (yes, that includes portable toilets—gotta love the glamour of infrastructure). And they’ll communicate with you in whatever way works: large print, Braille, a phone call instead of a text, or even a visit from a friendly staff member.
It’s basically customer service that actually anticipates your needs, instead of making you jump through hoops. (Imagine that in any other industry, right? A dream.)
