Ofwat recommends tight limits on bills

26/11/2009

Water suppliers in the UK have been told by Ofwat that they must reduce bills by £3 over the next five years.

This will mean that the average customer will be paying around £330 per year for their water services by 2015.

During the summer, the watchdog had initially recommended that suppliers should impose a £14 cut over the five-year period.

Regina Finn, Ofwat chief executive, said: "Customers have told us that they want us to keep water and sewage charges flat while maintaining a safe, reliable supply of water. That's what we've delivered.

"There's more to this than just low bills, it's about what customers get for their money."

Ofwat has also announced a £22 billion investment programme to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure in the UK.

The water bill reductions are likely to be offset in many households by energy price pressures.

Figures for Consumer Focus suggest that the average gas bill rose in cost by 51 per cent during 2008 and dropped by only six per cent this year.

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Young Family Finances,

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