South West Water bills to rise by less than 1 per cent

The average bill for household customers receiving their water and sewerage services from South West Water is set to rise by 0.9 per cent in 2009/10.In 2004, Ofwat set limits on the prices water and sewerage companies could charge customers between 2005 - 10. The rises for this year will come into effect on 1 April 2009 and apply until 31 March 2010. Ofwat will finalise the new limits on prices for the period 2010 - 2015 in November 2009.Regina Finn, Ofwat Chief Executive Officer said: "We needed to make some tough decisions back in 2004 when we set prices. Investment was vital but we needed to balance this with keeping bills down. And our work has kept customers' bills around �100 lower than they would otherwise have been."No one wants to see bills increasing, particularly in tough economic times. Yet over the last 20 years we have made sure that this essential investment has delivered very real benefits for us all."Investment means that tap water quality is up and leakage is down. Investment in environmental improvements means that whereas 20 years ago many bathing waters were 'no go' areas, now the South West boasts some of the best beaches and water quality in the country."There is still room for improvement, but progress is being made." Household customers who receive both water and sewerage services from South West Water will see their bills increase in 2009/10 by an average of 0.9 per cent. A rate of inflation is factored into this rise.6 This means that household customers receiving both water and sewerage services from South West Water will see bills increase on average by approximately 0.9 per cent or �4 to reach �489 in 2009/10.During the 2005-10 period, South West Water is projected to invest around �880 million in improving and maintaining water and sewerage services. This is part of an estimated �80 billion worth of investment by water and sewerage companies between 1989 and 2010. Water and sewerage companies were privatised in 1989.