Water companies are lobbying for bill rises of up to 84 per cent in the next five years in a fresh blow to customers.
Firms including beleaguered Thames Water have applied to the regulator, Ofwat, to hike tariffs so they can upgrade their networks, often after years of underinvestment.
The increases will also pay for higher energy costs since pumping water around the country uses plenty of power, as does treating sewage.
Southern Water wants bills to rise the most from today’s prices, by 84 per cent, with Thames Water asking for a 53 per cent rise. Northumbrian water has requested the least, at 21 per cent for the 2029-2030 financial year.
