Water bill rises on the way

Consumers already facing rises in energy and council tax bills were dealt a further blow today with the news that water bills are to go up in April.

The water regulator Ofwat said households in England and Wales would see water and sewerage bills rise by an average 5.5%, adding £15 a year to a typical bill.

Ofwat said the increase, which will take the average cost for a household to £294 a year, was necessary for water companies to meet the rising cost of delivering safe, clean drinking water to homes.

The actual increase will vary from company to company. While consumes who are supplied by United Utilities will see prices go up by an average of £22 a year, those supplied by Anglian Water will only pay an average of £7 more a year.

South West Water's customers will see the biggest increase, with bills expected to go up by £39 a year, or 9.4%. However, this will be offset in the first year by a one-off payment of £20 a household.

Thames Water customers, who saw prices go up last year, will have their bills increased by an average of £12.

The increases follow record price rises in utilities bills and news that council tax bills could go up by 4% this year. Yesterday, figures suggested domestic bills would break the £2,000 mark in April.

Ofwat's director general of water services, Philip Fletcher, said: "I realise that these bill increases will not be welcome, but I want to reassure customers that bills are going up by no more than is necessary.

"Price rises are unavoidable because of rising costs and the new challenges facing water companies.

He added: "The price increases should also secure the progress customers have already seen and enable companies to make further improvements to water quality and the environment and significantly reduce flooding from sewers in the future."