Customers in the east will notice slight increase in water bills, says local water watchdog

21/02/2006

Households across the Eastern region will receive their water and sewerage bills over the next few weeks, showing the new costs from 1 April 2006.  The average customer supplied by Essex and Suffolk Water will have to find an extra £9 (including inflation).  The average customers who receive water and sewerage service from Anglian Water will notice a rise of £7 (including inflation) on their annual bill.

In other parts of the region, the average customer supplied by Tendering Hundred Water can expect to see an increase of 1.4% (including inflation), and the average consumers of Cambridge Water will notice a rise of 2.2%.

The local water watchdog warns that these are average figures and there will be a variation between domestic customers, commercial customers and whether the charges are based on metered consumption or not.

Increases for the region are one of the lowest across the country, but for some consumers the price increase will still cause financial problems.  CCWater Eastern encourages those customers to contact their local water company as soon as possible to discuss possible payment plans.

Those on a water meter may be able to apply for the vulnerable customer tariff.  This scheme assists metered customers receiving certain benefits and who either have a large family or a medical condition requiring extra water usage.  If this applies to you contact your water company for more details.

Some customers face serious difficulties paying their water bill.  Therefore the Consumer Council for Water nationally is working alongside representative bodies such as Age Concern, the NCC, Citizens’ Advice, Help the Aged, Public Utilities Access Forum and Unison.  These organisations are helping to make the case for effective financial support to be provided by Government to consumers on low and fixed incomes.  A recent precedent was set in Northern Ireland, where 200,000 households will benefit from a guarantee that they will spend no more than 3% of their income on water and sewerage charges.

Smaller households or those who live alone should consider if they would save money by having a water meter fitted.  Meters are fitted free for domestic customers.  Contact your water company for more details.

Local media enquiries contact: Christine MacDonald, Regional Manager of CCWater Eastern on 0122 332 3889.

Notes for editors

1. CCWater Eastern represents consumers of Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Essex and Suffolk Water and Tendring Hundred Water.
2.  CCWater is the statutory water consumer body, and operates as a non-departmental public body reporting to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
3. At regional level, it is supported by nine regional committees in England and one for Wales.
4. Our national website is www.ccwater.org.uk.

Media enquiries to Andrew Marsh on 0121 345 1005 or 07778 160 803 (out of hours) or Karen Blanchette on 0121 345 1006 or 07778 160 808.