9 December 2005
South West Water is to hand a £20 rebate to its customers next spring, going some way towards offsetting a hefty price rise.
This first cash handout since 1998 comes at the same time as an average increase of £40 in the bills handed to customers.
With a typical bill of £400 - some £120 above the national average - the company's customers, based in Devon and Cornwall, see the highest charges in the country. This is largely necessitated by the cost of keeping the area's seawater clean.
Charles Howeson, of the Consumer Council for Water South West, told the BBC: "It is admirable that SWW is sharing this one-off payment.
"Customers will benefit to the tune of £20, but they should expect the rises to continue."
Between 1996 and 1998, customers in the region enjoyed three rebates - one of £10 and two of £15.
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