South West Water has seen written complaints fall over the last year by six per cent.

Figures released today by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) show that between 2012 and 2013 the company received 4,246 complaints – a drop of 272 on the previous year.

The council said that nationally telephone calls made by customers to resolve problems had also fallen broadly in line with written complaints.

Billing and charges remains the biggest area of concern for customers nationally, accounting for more than 56 per cent of the total 150,942 written complaints made in the year March 31, 2013.

And with water price limits for 2015 to 2020 set to be agreed next year, the water watchdog has warned companies they could face a backlash with customer complaints if they fail to deliver clear value for money.