Water Bills Continue to Rise in Many Areas Energy Comparison News
Water bills could reach as high as £1,000 a year for many families who don?t own water meters even though a cap has been placed on rises in the next 5 years between 2010 to 2015. This is despite regulators promising to help consumers who are already struggling from the effects of the recession.
Typical bills for families in the southwest could rise as high as £1,000 a year by 2014 = that’s a rise of nearly a third above inflation. The government has made it clear that many families will need to start using water meters in order to monitor and control their water usage and save money.
Meanwhile water companies are lobbying for even larger rises in water bills in the coming years. South West Water has asked for a 40% rise in for non metered homes while Thames Water wanted a rise of 25%.
The Consumer Council for Water believes that over 70% of customers in the South West are, unsurprisingly, against a 40% rise. Charles Howeson, Chairman of the Console said:
“We will push Ofwat hard on the issue of the disproportionate impact of these decisions on un-metered customers. Customers should not be driven into switching to metered charges by making un-metered bills unaffordable.”
However, water companies believe they might challenge Ofwat to seek even higher rises through an appeal to the Competition Commission.