NORTH West Water has been given a pat on the back by the consumers' watchdog OFWAT for restoring services during the winter's big freeze.

It had 119,000 customers' services restored in 12 hours and fewer than than 300 customers were experiencing problems after 48 hours.

NWW had prepared contingency plans, but the problems caused by the weather were worse than expected with 143,981 customers affected and the company has had to pay out £24,148 in compensation.

The details are revealed in a report from OFWAT on how water companies all over the country dealt with the crisis in December and January.

It reveals the major water companies generally anticipated the consequences of the winter freeze and acted quickly to mobilise staff to help customers.

The consequences of the cold spell were substantially greater in the north than the south.

In all water companies reported over 200,000 customers affected by supply interruptions and low pressures, in a few cases for up to 72 hours.

North West Water was most affected. The OFWAT report states that many properties were unoccupied over Christmas, and that prolonged the crisis.

Demand for water in some places increased by 70pc above normal - mainly due to leaks in customers' pipes.

Along with NWW, customers in North East Water, Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water, York Waterworks and parts of Welsh Water reported problems.

Ian Byatt, director general of Water Services, said: "If a water company's service to customers breaks down - regardless of the circumstances - then it is up to the company to remedy it; and they did so, despite factors outside their control."

The biggest individual service failure occurred in Ashington in Northumbrian Water's area, when supplies were interrupted for up to four days. The company commissioned its own inquiry into the event and is implementing its findings, including making additional hardship payments to some customers.

Mr Byatt said: "The Guaranteed Standards Scheme provides for statutory minimum compensation levels where service to customers breaks down. " After the Christmas freeze the companies responded favourably to calls for payments to reflect the inconvenience suffered by customers who had to make use of alternative water supplies. More than £1 million was paid out, mostly in excess of the requirements set out in the scheme."

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