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Water prices mixed news for 2010/11

23rd February 2010 Print

Although average water bills across England and Wales will remain relatively steady over the next year, it's mixed news for customers as some bills will go down and some up, says the Consumer Council for Water.

The prices being announced today (Tuesday 23 February) by the water regulator, Ofwat, are shown as average figures, so changes in water bills will vary from customer to customer, depending on their individual circumstances. For example, customers of United Utilities Water are likely to see a price decrease of £16 on the average bill, while customers of Northumbrian Water may see an £11 price increase (see table).  There are also variations in prices between customers who have a water meter and those who do not.

The announcement details price changes for the first year of Ofwat's five year price review (2010-2015), announced last November. It was the first time that the Consumer Council for Water, as an independent consumer body, had an opportunity to influence the prices customers pay, and the package of benefits they get for their money.

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: "During the price review, we negotiated hard with Ofwat and each water company to secure improvements that customers told us were important to them, such as more investment to prevent sewer flooding, and work to ensure even better quality tap water - and importantly, without the overall increase in prices that customers have seen in previous years.

"While generally the package looks better for customers over the next five years, one of the major issues emerging out of this price review is the ever increasing gap between bills for customers with water meters and those without, and we are currently in discussions with Ofwat as to how that problem can be addressed. 
 
"The figures being announced today may tempt some customers who can opt for metered charges into looking to have a water meter installed. But while many can and do save money by switching to metered charges, others could end up paying more. Customers looking to make the switch can check how much they might pay on metered charges by visiting our website, ccwater.org.uk, and clicking on the water meter calculator.

"Anyone who thinks they may struggle to afford their water bill should contact their company immediately. Many companies may be able to offer more flexible payment options, such as weekly or monthly payment plans, and most have set up trust funds or other schemes to help eligible customers who cannot afford their water bills.

"These measures can only serve as a stop gap for a much wider problem, as today one in six customers tell us that they can not afford their water charges. We are continuing to press the Government to help those struggling to pay their water bills, instead of pushing the problem back on to other water customers."