PRICE limits on water and sewerage bills over the next five years have been proposed - with many customers seeing a substantial discount.
Kate McGrath
PRICE limits on water and sewerage bills over the next five years have been proposed - with many customers seeing a substantial discount.
Industry regulator, Ofwat, has published its draft proposal on water and sewerage price limits for the major providers in Suffolk and north Essex until 2015.
If implemented in November, Anglian Water customers could see their bills fall by around 8% in five years, which amounts to savings of about �30.
Ofwat has recommended that Essex & Suffolk increase their water charges by about �15.
It is also proposing that Anglian Water invest �2billion into maintaining and improving services.
Regina Finn, Ofwat chief executive officer, said: “We understand times are hard, and we have listened to what customers have told us. They want safe, reliable water supplies at a reasonable cost.
“Our decisions will keep bills down, whilst allowing Anglian to invest around �2billion.”
The companies can now respond to the draft, with the final determination announced by Ofwat in November.
Jonson Cox, chief exective for Anglian Water, said: “We welcome the fact that Ofwat has commended us for consulting with our customers to keep bills affordable.
“They also recognise the need for us to invest in our growing region. Our job now is to study the detail contained in the 110 page draft determination and to work with Ofwat in coming weeks to achieve a final outcome that is fair and reasonable for customers, and for the future needs of our growing region.”
Managing director of Essex & Suffolk, John Cuthbert, added: “We submitted a very detailed plan to Ofwat and, when we have received all of the supporting information to the draft determination, we will need time to understand fully the Ofwat approach. We will need time to understand fully the Ofwat approach. We will then be able to make a proper judgement on the draft determination.”
Water Water Sewerage Sewerage Total Total Change
2009/10 2014/15 2009/10 2014/15 2009/10 2014/15
Anglian �173 �159 �216 �198 �389 �357 -8%
Essex & Suffolk �169 �184 �169 �184 9%
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here