Consumers in England and Wales will pay an average of 5.7%, or about £20 more, for their water bills in 2012-13 following charge increases announced by the economic regulator of the water and sewerage industry, Ofwat.
But Southern Water, which is installing meters in all its customers' homes after Kent, Hampshire and Sussex were designated areas of "water stress", will increase prices by an average of 8.2% or £31, and Bristol Water is raising prices by 8.8%.
South East, a water-only company that operates in the same counties as Southern and is also installing universal water meters, is increasing prices by 4.6%, or £9.
But customers of South West will face the highest bills, with the company estimating an average charge of £543, a rise of 4.7% or £24 on 2011-12.
The rises, which are based on a rise in the retail price index in November 2011 of 5.2%, will mean an average annual bill of £376 throughout the UK. A spokesperson for Ofwat said prices would vary from customer to customer if their water was metered, or if non-metered, depending on the rateable value of their home.
In 2009 the regulator set the size of "real" rises in charges for the years 2010-2015, with the aim of keeping average bills almost in line with inflation for another three years. Ofwat says this is around 10% less than the rise asked for by water companies.
Regina Finn, the Ofwat chief executive officer, said: "We understand that any bill rise is unwelcome, particularly in tough economic times. Inflation feeds through into water bills, and this is driving these rises. We will make sure customers get value for money."
But the Consumer Council for Water said higher-than-anticipated inflation figures for the past two years meant customers had ended up paying more than they might have expected.
Dame Yve Buckland, the chair of the CCW, said: "In the current economic climate, many customers are struggling with rising household bills and the level of water debt is growing. Companies need to tell their customers very clearly what they are getting for their money and to help customers who are having difficulty paying their bill.
"Anyone struggling to pay their water bill should contact their company immediately. They can usually offer more flexible payment options, such as weekly or monthly payment plans. In some cases they may also be able to help through special assistance funds, or schemes to help eligible customers reduce their water bills."
But Southern Water, which is installing meters in all its customers' homes after Kent, Hampshire and Sussex were designated areas of "water stress", will increase prices by an average of 8.2% or £31, and Bristol Water is raising prices by 8.8%.
South East, a water-only company that operates in the same counties as Southern and is also installing universal water meters, is increasing prices by 4.6%, or £9.
But customers of South West will face the highest bills, with the company estimating an average charge of £543, a rise of 4.7% or £24 on 2011-12.
The rises, which are based on a rise in the retail price index in November 2011 of 5.2%, will mean an average annual bill of £376 throughout the UK. A spokesperson for Ofwat said prices would vary from customer to customer if their water was metered, or if non-metered, depending on the rateable value of their home.
In 2009 the regulator set the size of "real" rises in charges for the years 2010-2015, with the aim of keeping average bills almost in line with inflation for another three years. Ofwat says this is around 10% less than the rise asked for by water companies.
Regina Finn, the Ofwat chief executive officer, said: "We understand that any bill rise is unwelcome, particularly in tough economic times. Inflation feeds through into water bills, and this is driving these rises. We will make sure customers get value for money."
But the Consumer Council for Water said higher-than-anticipated inflation figures for the past two years meant customers had ended up paying more than they might have expected.
Dame Yve Buckland, the chair of the CCW, said: "In the current economic climate, many customers are struggling with rising household bills and the level of water debt is growing. Companies need to tell their customers very clearly what they are getting for their money and to help customers who are having difficulty paying their bill.
"Anyone struggling to pay their water bill should contact their company immediately. They can usually offer more flexible payment options, such as weekly or monthly payment plans. In some cases they may also be able to help through special assistance funds, or schemes to help eligible customers reduce their water bills."
Original Article
Source: Guardian
Author: Jill Insley
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