Colletta Smith and Kevin Peachey
Costs of the cost of living
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Households in England and Wales will pay an average of £ 123 on their annual aquatic bills from April, according to final figures.
The increase – higher than that indicated last month – will see the average annual increase of £ 603, but there are significant variations between regions.
Water companies have committed additional funds for investments in infrastructure, such as tanks, and more help for customers in difficulty.
However, consumer groups warn that the increase means that more households will fall in debt.
Difficult ‘difficult’
The regulator of the Office has described the forecast forecasts that Bill increases in December, which would cover the next five years.
But the bill increases for the year from April, announced by the Body Water Uk industry, is higher than those announced by OFWAT, because the calculations now include inflation – so explain the price increase to which Suppliers are faced.
The average increase in bills is equivalent to around £ 10 per month, from £ 40 to 50, but millions of households are faced with even stronger increases.
Southern Water’s customers have said that they would see an increase of 47% to £ 703 per year, while Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water Bills increase by 32%.
Thames Water customers have been warned that they will see an increase of 31% and Workshire Water increases invoices by 29%.
Bournemouth Water customers will also see a 32% increase in their invoices.
Other factors, such as if a customer is measured and the amount of water they use, means that invoice changes will vary considerably for customers according to their situation.
Bill increases for the next five years forward, with a strong increase in April so that expenses for new infrastructure, such as new tanks, can begin.
Water UK’s Managing Director David Henderson said: “We understand that the increase in bills is never welcome and, although we need any urgent investment in our water infrastructure and Sewers, we know that for many, this increase will be difficult. “
Water companies say they will also bring more than 4 billion pounds to finance social prices – reduced invoices for vulnerable people – over the next five years.
But the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents the facilles, said that the support had not gone far enough, because around 2.5 million households were already in debt towards their water company.
“These increases will exert considerable pressure on millions of customers who must already make difficult choices,” said his CEO Mike Keil.
“Customers want to see investments in improving services and cleaning our rivers, but that cannot reach an unbearable cost for households in difficulty.”
The CCW said that it was the highest increase in water bills since the privatization of the water industry 36 years ago.
David Black, Managing Director of Ofwat, said: “We have pushed the companies to double the amount of support in the period of next five years and greatly encourage customers who find it difficult to pay their water bills for Contact their water business to access it.
“While invoices are increasing, the investment of 104 billion pounds sterling that we have approved over the next five years will accelerate the delivery of clean rivers and seas and help guarantee the long -term supply of drinking water to customers. “
