Water bills across the South are set to rise again next year, adding further pressure to household budgets following steep increases in recent years.
South East Water has confirmed that customer bills will increase by 7 per cent. That follows a significant rise of around twenty per cent last year. Meanwhile, Southern Water customers are facing an 8 per cent increase, on top of a sharp 47 per cent increase already applied the previous year.
The increases have been confirmed by the industry body, Water UK, following consultations with regulators, including Ofwat and the Competition and Markets Authority. Water UK represents companies across the sector and says the rises reflect the scale of long-term investment now required.
Water companies say the extra money raised through higher bills will be used to upgrade ageing infrastructure and improve network resilience. A key focus, they say, will be reducing sewage spills and improving environmental performance, particularly in rivers and coastal waters.
The water industry has faced sustained criticism in recent years over pollution incidents, rising bills and shareholder payouts. Campaigners have repeatedly called for tougher regulation and greater accountability, especially as customers continue to face above-inflation increases.
Water firms insist the latest price rises are necessary to meet stricter environmental standards and to fund major projects aimed at improving water quality and protecting the environment in the long term. They say without significant investment, the network would struggle to cope with population growth, climate change and more extreme weather.
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