27 February 2008
Regulator Ofwat has alerted households in England and Wales that they could soon see a 5.8 per cent total average increase (1.5 per cent plus inflation at 4.3 per cent) to their water and sewerage bills.
The rise, which will take effect from April, will bring the average bill for these services to £330 per year - an £18 increase from the year before.
Customers of South West Water will have the smallest change in price, at 3.7 per cent, while Southern Water and Wessex Water customers will face the highest jump, at 7.8 per cent.
Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn said that the regulator's efforts, which include "setting companies tough efficiency challenges", have helped keep prices lower than they would have been otherwise.
"Clearly any bill increases are going to be unwelcome, but these price rises are essential to enable companies to continue to continue to provide high-quality, secure water and sewerage services both now and for future generations," she added.
However, the Consumer Council for Water told the BBC that customers should be able to recognise benefits in line with price rises, which it said "have increased dramatically since privatisation".
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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