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Water rates 'increase above inflation'

Customers are to face above-inflation rises in water bills next month, regulator Ofwat has announced.

The watchdog said that the increases - which could see some water bills cost £330 more this year - were necessary in order to protect "essential" services from water firms.

News of the extra water costs come in the wake of the decision of most energy firms to increase their general gas and electricity tariffs by an average of 15 per cent.

Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn explained: "Each year we challenge the monopoly water companies to make sure their customer charges are in line with the price limits we have set and are fair.

"When we are satisfied that they are, we approve their bill changes - clearly any bill increases are going to be unwelcome, but these price rises are essential."

The announcement comes in the wake of a series of fines levied on water suppliers by the regulator for poor customer service.

A record £20.3 million fine was demanded from Southern Water in November 2007 due to its falsifying accounts and failing to hit performance targets.

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