Thames Water has appealed to allow him to increase more invoices than the regulator allows.
The largest public service company in the United Kingdom calls on the competition regulator to overthrow a regulator decision, ofwat, which caps the bill to 35% over the next five years.
The Thames, which is already in serious financial difficulties, is also waiting for the courts to approve of 3 billion pounds of investors.
But in the longer term, the company claims that invoices must also increase more that the regulator has suggested covering investment costs in water infrastructure.
The company, which provides water services in southeast England, said that the call was “in the interest of our customers and the environment”.
The Thames argued that bills must increase by 53% over the five -year period.
Its president, SIR Adrian Montague, said that this size of increase would allow it to provide “safe and resilient” water supplies which could face the impact of climate change.
Other water companies are also authorized to submit calls against Bill Settlements, which are specific to each public service company.
Thames is the first to have done so, while six others said they will not call: Severn Trent, United Utilities, Pennon Plus DWR Cymru Welsh Water, SES and Hafren.
The regulations are designed to balance the interests of consumers with the needs of companies to collect funds for investments and make profits to shareholders.
Critics say that water companies have achieved too much profit and have strengthened debt, instead of investing in infrastructure in recent decades, which has led to sewer discharges, bursting pipes and leaks.
Water companies argue that an increasing population and the challenges of climate change in the evolution of higher increases are required.
By contesting the regulations of the OFWAT bill, Thames is launching an examination process which could take up to six months to resolve.
In the short term, the Thames, with a debt burden of 17 billion pounds sterling, is looking for an emergency treasury line of investors to strengthen its finances.
Mike Keil, director general of the Consumer Council for Water, a body speaking for invoices, said: “Water Thames customers are already faced with steep invoices.
“They will be exasperated that the company now has the temerity of pursuing an even greater increase.”
He said customers wanted to see investments and improvements to services, but also “a value for money and be treated fairly”.
