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Water bills to rise by £31 per year over next five years | Water bills to rise by £31 per year over next five years |
(31 minutes later) | |
Water bills are set to rise by an average of £31 per year over five years from April, the industry regulator has said. | |
The increase is higher than the £19 per year Ofwat proposed in July, but is lower than water companies had requested. | The increase is higher than the £19 per year Ofwat proposed in July, but is lower than water companies had requested. |
Ofwat said the increase was enough for water companies in England and Wales to pay for upgrades and reduce sewage discharges. | |
However, the £31 rise is before inflation has been added so actual bills are likely to be higher. | However, the £31 rise is before inflation has been added so actual bills are likely to be higher. |
The water industry has faced fierce criticism in recent years over leaks and sewage discharges into rivers. | The water industry has faced fierce criticism in recent years over leaks and sewage discharges into rivers. |
But Ofwat said higher bills would pay for £104bn upgrade for the sector. | But Ofwat said higher bills would pay for £104bn upgrade for the sector. |
David Black, Ofwat chief executive, told the BBC the investment will "deliver significant reduction in sewage spills, further reductions in leakage, and drive up service for customers". | |
The bill hike varies by region. Southern Water customers will be hit by the biggest increase, with bills going up 53% - £642 on average - by 2030. | The bill hike varies by region. Southern Water customers will be hit by the biggest increase, with bills going up 53% - £642 on average - by 2030. |
Southern Water supplies to thousands of homes are currently disrupted, with more than 58,000 properties impacted. | Southern Water supplies to thousands of homes are currently disrupted, with more than 58,000 properties impacted. |
Wessex and Northumbrian Water bills will rise by the smallest amount - 21%. | Wessex and Northumbrian Water bills will rise by the smallest amount - 21%. |
Thames Water, which is struggling under a huge debt pile, will be able to charge customers 35% more, with bills going up to £588. | Thames Water, which is struggling under a huge debt pile, will be able to charge customers 35% more, with bills going up to £588. |
'We don't trust companies to spend our money in the right way' | |
Rebecca Sinker, member of the Clean Water Action Group in Hastings, said the group had been getting bacteria readings "way of the scale in terms of safety" in the sea. | |
She said the area, which is covered by Southern Water, relied on the sea for its fishing and tourist industry. | |
"They haven't been keeping up with the infrastructure maintenance and that's why we're angry about the cost of bill rises," she said. | |
"We don't trust them to spend our money in the right way, and we can't go anywhere else for our water. It's a private company monopoly". |