Water bills could hit £483 in the South West
With the cost of living sky-rocketing and fuel bills mounting during the Big Freeze, it will come as some comfort to know that water bills are unlikely to get any higher – at least in the South West.
The industry regulator, Ofwat, has ordered South West Water (SSW) – the UK’s most expensive water company – to make a real-term £1 cut in bills by 2015.
And its owner Pennon has agreed, although it called the target a “very tough challenge” and warned it may have to fire some of its 1,250 staff to keep costs low. Average water bills are expected to reach a whopping £483 next year.
SSW wanted to increase bills by £5 before inflation to pay for investment in Devon and Cornwall, but Ofwat turned them down in November.
England and Wales has 21 water and sewage companies affected by the watchdog’s ruling, but only five have agreed so far. The rest must choose whether to refer Ofwat’s decision to the Competition Commission before January 26.