Water UK has said that the average household water and sewage bill in the England Wales will rise by an average of 6% from April.
This will help to unlock “record investment” which has been branded a “kick in the teeth from dodgy water firms who pollute rivers.”
Following a backlash over deliberate sewage discharges and bad water supply, Water UK said the price hike will deliver £14 billion investment that will “significantly reduce” the amount of sewage in rivers.
Water UK chief executive David Henderson said: “Next year will see record levels of investment from water companies to secure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage in rivers and seas.
“Up and down the country customers will see the results of this investment with more than 2,000 kilometres of pipes being repaired or replaced and more capacity to treat sewage than ever before.
“At the same time support for customers is doubling with more than two million families now being helped with their bills.
“Anyone with worries should contact their water company and, it is worth remembering, water companies will never cut anyone off or make them use a prepayment meter.”
Chief executive of regulator Ofwat, David Black, responded: “We are very aware, for those who are already struggling, this will be a real worry.
“As such, water companies must do all they can to protect those who are most in need of a helping hand.”
The Liberal Democrats’ environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: “This is a kick in the teeth from the same dodgy water firms who pollute rivers with sewage whilst pocketing millions in bonuses. They have no shame.
“This price hike is a disgrace and should be scrapped immediately. There should be no price rises until water firms scrap insulting overseas dividends and exec bonuses. It is a scandal that Conservative Ministers are just letting water firms get away with this.”
