Severn Trent Water has become the UK's first utility to offer customers the option to pay their bills using the Barclays Pingit mobile app.
Non direct debit customers will now be able to pay for their water by scanning a QR code on their bill using the Pingit app, which can be downloaded by anyone with a UK bank account.
Angela Hunter-Dobson, director, customer services, Severn Trent, says: "In deploying Pingit, we are offering greater choice by introducing an innovative yet straightforward payment facility to our increasingly mobile customer base."
Separately, Barclays has added a 'donate with Gift Aid' function to Pingit. This means that when people scan a charity's QR code they will now be given the option to select Gift Aid so basic rate tax relief can be claimed on the donation.
Mike Walters, head, UK corporate payments, Barclays, says: "Gift Aid functionality within Barclays Pingit is innovation at its most exciting and helps our charity clients to deliver a truly great donor experience, while maximising the value of spontaneous donations."