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UK water regulator approves extra £3.4bn for higher customer bills
Ofwat’s provisional decision covers 13 water firms in England and Wales, with bill rises ranging from £1 to £43 for some customers before 2030.
BBC Business reports that Ofwat has given provisional approval for 13 water companies in England and Wales to raise customers’ bills by an additional £3.4bn over coming years to address pressures on infrastructure and environmental outcomes.
Nearly a third of the extra funding is earmarked for keeping water services running, while other sums are intended to meet rising demand from housebuilding and data centres, as well as tackle pollutants including so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS).
Ofwat said the spending would support growth and help deliver upgrades that were not delayed, and it plans to track performance improvements for both customers and the environment, according to the regulator’s executive director for delivery, Helen Campbell.
The approval is provisional and subject to a public consultation, with a final decision due in December. Customers of five firms, including Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, and South East Water, are set to see price increases of £1 to £43 in the 2027/28 and 2029/30 financial years, BBC Business added.