United Utilities and South West Water announce significant bill increases over the next five years, citing investments in water quality and environmental improvements. The Environment Agency secures record-breaking commitments from water companies to clean up the environment and invest in new infrastructure.
Water company United Utilities has confirmed that bills will increase by 32 percent over the next five years. The Warrington-based company, which serves customers across Greater Manchester and Liverpool, stated that these increases were agreed upon with the regulator Ofwat last year. While the company had the option to appeal Ofwat's December decision to the competition regulator, announcements on Wednesday indicate they will not do so.
United Utilities explained that the increase will be used to enhance water quality, reduce storm overflow spills by 60 percent, and provide significantly more funding to support households with their water bills. The Environment Agency, collaborating closely with Natural England, announced that it has secured the largest-ever commitment from water companies to improve the environment and invest in new infrastructure since the privatization of the water industry. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) outlines over 24,000 actions that water companies must undertake over the next five years to fulfill their legal environmental obligations. This represents a £22.1 billion investment in the environment, four times greater than the amount secured during the previous Price Review, and will deliver tangible benefits for both our water system and customers. WINEP will lead to a 'significant scheme' to upgrade a large wastewater treatment works in the River Mersey catchment, spanning Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside, resulting in improved water quality.South West Water, meanwhile, has confirmed a 23 percent increase in bills. The parent company of South West Water, Pennon, also stated that they have agreed to the bill increases negotiated with regulator Ofwat last year.
WATER BILLS ENVIRONMENT INVESTMENTS REGULATION WATER QUALITY
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