They confirmed this week that only those who lived in the Bexton Lane area qualified for £25 for disrupted services.

A resident in Ella Grove had written to North West Water this month after she was left without water three times last year.

But in a letter from NWW, she was told all problems were caused by emergencies.

"The interruptions were out of our control and therefore we could not give customers advanced notice," said spokesman John Carberry on Monday.

"It is our policy not to issue compensation in these circumstances."

Water supplies in Knutsford were affected in October, November and December when water mains burst and problems hit Knutsford's pumping station.

But he said those living in the Bexton Lane area had it far worse because of a faulty valve.

"The incidents on Bexton Lane were completely separate than the others across the town," said Mr Carberry.

"The disruptions continued over a period of time and so it was felt that these customers should receive compensation."