Water giants bid to hike bills above limit set by watchdog

FIVE water companies want to hike consumers' bills more than the rate approved by the regulator, it emerged yesterday.

- By Steph Spyro

Water watchdog Ofwat has referred the firms to the Competition and Markets Authority to make a decision.

The five are: Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South East Water, Southern Water and Wessex Water.

Anglian Water customers are already facing bill increases of 29% while Northumbrian Water has announced 21% hikes.

South East Water is to raise bills by 24%, Southern Water by a staggering 53% and Wessex Water by 21%.

Thames Water had requested a reference to the CMA last month but has since asked for it to be deferred for a period of up to 18 weeks.