Water firm cut supply to mother's house for 12 years

A court has ruled that water company Saur must reconnect the supply to the home of a woman it cut off in 2005 over an unpaid bill.

The tribunal de grande instance de Nanterre was told that the water supply to the property in Perpignan was cut off when the woman, who was living in the home with her then 10-year-old son, was unable to pay a €300 water bill.

Unable to settle her debt, the woman set-up an illegal 'wild' connection to the local water supply. Eight years later, Saur filed a complaint against her for water theft, while maintaining the decision to cut off her supply in the first place remained legal - despite the fact that the Loi Brottes, which came into force in early 2014, prevented water companies from cutting people's supply.

A three-month prison sentence imposed on the woman for water theft is being appealed.

Saur was also ordered to pay €1,000 to the two associations, France Libertés and Coordination Eau Île-de-France, that brought the case on the woman's behalf, and who had both offered to mediate in 2013.

The company said that it no longer cuts off the supply to properties where inhabitants are struggling to pay their bills.