Average water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by 36 per cent over the next five years, with bills soaring by 53 per cent in some areas, according to The London Economic.
The regulator Ofwat announced the price increases before Christmas. This came after another year of sewage spills and financial missteps that overwhelmed the UK’s privatised water industry. Ofwat chief executive David Black stated:
We recognise it is a difficult time for many, and we are acutely aware of the impact that bill increases will have for some customers. That is why it is vital that companies are stepping up their support for customers who struggle to pay. We have robustly examined all funding requests to make sure they provide value for money and deliver real improvements while ensuring the sector can attract the levels of investment it needs to meet environmental requirements.
Southern Water customers will see the biggest increase in their bills, up 53 per cent. Meanwhile, the company was seeking a rise of 83 per cent. Thames Water customers will also pay much more, with bills becoming 35 per cent more expensive. This is below the 53 per cent requested by the utility.
It emerged that a typical annual water bill will be £588 (€715) by 2030, with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water customers paying the most, with an average annual bill of £645 (€784).
