Northumbrian Water decision to limit bills praised by local water watchdog
27/02/2008
As water companies across England announced increases of up to nine per cent in their bills from April 2008, the Consumer Council for Water’s Northern region welcomed Northumbrian Water’s decision to only raise their average price in line with inflation until 2010, instead of the full amount allowed by Ofwat.
Andrea Cook, Chair of CCWater Northern, said: “This is a bold and customer-focused decision by Northumbrian Water which demonstrates that the company has listened and responded to the representations of the Consumer Council for Water and to the views of its customers. Northumbrian Water’s customers will gain through bills which are one per cent less that they would have been as well as having the benefit of additional investment to tackle issues such as sewer flooding.
“Northumbrian Water’s bills are already amongst the lowest in the country, providing good value for money. This recognition of the cost pressures on customers is good news and sets a standard for the rest of the industry to follow.
“We do recognise that people are facing a number of rising costs at this time for things like energy and council tax, and so may be concerned about an increase to water bills in addition to their other financial demands. Many customers on low and fixed incomes may struggle to keep up, even with small bill rises and any customers who are finding it difficult to pay should contact Northumbrian Water as soon as possible.
Ends
|
Company |
Water |
Sewerage |
Total change |
|||
|
|
Value |
Change |
Value |
Change |
Combined bill |
|
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
% |
|
Water and sewerage companies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anglian Water |
168 |
8 |
209 |
13 |
21 |
5.9% |
|
Dwr Cymru1 |
164 |
9 |
222 |
15 |
24 |
6.8% |
|
Northumbrian Water (incl. Essex & Suffolk) |
142 |
5 |
166 |
8 |
13 |
4.5% |
|
Northumbrian |
128 |
5 |
166 |
8 |
13 |
4.6% |
|
Essex & Suffolk2 |
161 |
5 |
|
|
5 |
3.3% |
|
Severn Trent Water |
147 |
6 |
145 |
9 |
15 |
5.2% |
|
South West Water |
204 |
14 |
293 |
4 |
18 |
3.7% |
|
Southern Water |
126 |
6 |
233 |
20 |
26 |
7.8% |
|
Thames Water |
171 |
6 |
115 |
4 |
10 |
3.8% |
|
United Utilities |
163 |
10 |
196 |
15 |
25 |
7.5% |
|
Wessex Water |
196 |
15 |
199 |
14 |
29 |
7.8% |
|
Yorkshire Water (incl. York) |
151 |
9 |
172 |
13 |
22 |
7.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change water only |
|
|
Water only companies |
|
|
|
|
£ |
|
|
Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water |
138 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
1.4% |
|
Bristol Water |
152 |
11 |
|
|
11 |
8.0% |
|
Cambridge Water |
114 |
5 |
|
|
5 |
4.2% |
|
Dee Valley Water |
127 |
11 |
|
|
11 |
9.4% |
|
Folkestone & Dover Water |
181 |
10 |
|
|
10 |
5.8% |
|
Mid Kent Water |
159 |
6 |
|
|
6 |
3.6% |
|
Portsmouth Water |
90 |
5 |
|
|
5 |
6.4% |
|
South East Water |
161 |
3 |
|
|
3 |
1.6% |
|
South Staffordshire Water |
118 |
6 |
|
|
6 |
5.0% |
|
Sutton & East Surrey Water |
159 |
5 |
|
|
5 |
3.0% |
|
Tendring Hundred Water |
166 |
6 |
|
|
6 |
3.5% |
|
Three Valleys Water |
150 |
| ||||