Hi,

I've been using ....0870 for some time now and have just registered.  
Not sure if this is appropriate, so doubtless someone will let me know if I'm wasting time.

Got a letter from Three Valleys Water with a new 0845 number to ring.  It is 0845 678 9779 and isn't in the database and couldn't be found by Google.

However, I already have 01707 268111 from another 0845 number that is already on the database and whilst it answered quick enough, I had to wait for about 3 minutes before being connected to (possibly not!) the right person.  (I still think they are going to come and cut my water off!!!).

So whether ringing the new 0845 number would have got me through to the right person and any quicker I can't be sure.  But, I did get through using a geo-number from this site.

Let me know if you want any more of this type - or should I stick strictly to those where there is no known geo alternative.

Thanks.

Peter Despard

~ Edited by Dave: Thread title amended

Seek advice.
Unless you've been really naughty, I don't think they can cut your water off. Something to do with human rights to a supply of water, I think.

I've amended the title as it was "Thames Water".


pwdespard wrote on Jul 19^th, 2007 at 2:45pm:

However, I already have 01707 268111 from another 0845 number that is already on the database and whilst it answered quick enough, I had to wait for about 3 minutes before being connected to (possibly not!) the right person.  (I still think they are going to come and cut my water off!!!). So whether ringing the new 0845 number would have got me through to the right person and any quicker I can't be sure.  But, I did get through using a geo-number from this site.

How long is a piece of string?

Who knows and does it matter about the length of time it takes.


pwdespard wrote on Jul 19^th, 2007 at 2:45pm:

Let me know if you want any more of this type - or should I stick strictly to those where there is no known geo alternative.

The fact that search by 084x/087x number on this site does not mean that there isn't a suitable alternative!

The way numbers get listed is for someone to have a requirement to call them. Research needs to be done to find an alternative. You've done that research and the 01707 number you quote will be suitable for all Three Valleys numbers during office hours as it is te reception (ring it now and you get a recording).

However, if I were you, I would call 0800 697982, which is a customer services freephone number (assuming you are calling from a landline).

Thanks guys,  

I think I've got the gist of how this thing works now.

Thanks to Dave for correcting my heading.  I get my sewage handled by Thames Water but incoming water from Three Valleys.  There is a geological logic to this, but I get confused sometimes.

The water in question was to my garage and an unoccupied building, so I think they probably could cut it off.  But since I now have a non-emergency (and thus I don't want to abuse it) freephone number courtesy of Dave, I won't mind ringing them back on it should there be a problem.  

I don't like getting through to an operator and then still having to wait forever for an engaged internal line, especially if it's at a premium rate.  In this case, there was no indication that I was still connected (apart from absence of a dialing tone) and had I been busier or waiting for incoming calls I would have hung up.

Thanks again to everyone.

Peter Despard

There is a number on the site, several times.  However each time I ring in and ask for metered water accounts, they refer me back to the 0845 number as the number "the company ask you to ring".   Ultimately I have e-mailed them instead.

Has anybody successfully got through on the 01707 number recently ?

Martin_rosen wrote on May 20^th, 2009 at 9:50am:

There is a number on the site, several times.  However each time I ring in and ask for metered water accounts, they refer me back to the 0845 number as the number "the company ask you to ring".   Ultimately I have e-mailed them instead. Has anybody successfully got through on the 01707 number recently ?

The number to which you refer is 01707 268111.

I have amended all verified and unverified entries so that they all have the name Three Valleys Water (3valleys). Entering three valleys water into the company search box will return these entries.

By the sound of it, it is the switchboard not putting calls through.

There are some freephone numbers which are very similar to the 0845s. I wonder if there is a reason for this. Maybe they are suitable alternatives, ie 0845 7697982 => 0800 697982 and 0845 7697985 => 0800 697985. Just a thought you might like to investigate.   :-/

Thank you Dave.  I tired the latter number 0800 697985 and after a series of menu options got through to someone who could help.

Yes, I suspected the switchboard didn't want to connect me.

I originally used the title of "3Valleys" as their website and e-mail address is referred to in that manner.

As now, the numbers answer as follows:

Operational enquiries (0845 782 3333 and 0800 823333 - both answer the same)

Menu:
1. Fresh water supply enquiry or report leak
2. Sewerage/drainage enquiry
3. Existing Homeserve policy enquiry
4. Query with bill (no water meter)
5. Query with bill (water meter)


Have a look at the entries in the database as I've amended them.  ;)