Households are expected to contribute an additional £156 annually by 2030.
England and Wales water companies suggest significant hikes in household bills to fund an unprecedented £96bn investment in water and sewage infrastructure.
The proposals, set to be presented to the Ofwat regulator, indicate a rise of roughly £156 annually per household by the decade’s close. These plans span 2025 to 2030, nearly doubling the £51bn from the prior five years.
As natural monopolies, water companies’ charges to consumers for infrastructural maintenance and upgrades over five-year cycles are determined by Ofwat.
This year’s negotiations will be particularly tense, marking 34 years since privatization. Ofwat faces the challenge of aligning investment needs with public resentment over sewage discharges and the implications of rate increases amidst a living cost surge.
The regulator must also assure water company investors of a stable regulatory framework, given many companies are grappling with debts and seeking shareholder equity.
Water UK’s CEO, David Henderson, stated the importance of the proposed plans for ensuring high-quality drinking water, safeguarding future water supplies, and minimizing storm overflows.
The outlined plans earmark £11bn for overflow reductions, water transfer pipes, and building 10 reservoirs, a feat not achieved in 30 years. Ofwat will take a year to evaluate and determine the proposals.
Household water bills currently average £448, with inflation adjustments made yearly. Companies like Severn Trent and Southern Water plan to announce considerable bill increases.
Ofwat’s CEO, David Black, emphasized that households will pay solely for upcoming investments and not past lapses. He emphasized the regulator’s commitment to ensuring value for money and holding companies accountable.
Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, urged Ofwat to ensure consumers don’t bear costs due to companies’ underperformance.
However, concerns loom over the potential deterrent effect on investors given the stern tone from regulators and substantial fines. The sector’s £60bn debt, a stark contrast from its debt-free status at privatization, has companies turning to shareholders.
Barclays Research analyst, Dominic Nash, highlighted concerns about investment uncertainties in the water sector due to recent announcements from Ofwat and Defra.
In 2020, some water companies had their appeals endorsed by the Competition and Markets Authority after Ofwat dismissed sections of their initial plans. This led to concerns about companies potentially passing on excess profits to shareholders. A similar appeals process is anticipated next year.
"Water companies want bills to increase by £156 a year by 2030 to pay for upgrades and reduce sewage discharges."
The solution isn't to tinker with the system while leaving private companies in charge. It's to nationalise our water so we own it.https://t.co/SNz8Q1Zp4A via… pic.twitter.com/piN9ZEyYT5
— Share_Talk ™ (@Share_Talk) October 2, 2023
Water activist, Feargal Sharkey, questioned the companies’ past monetary utilization, implying that better management could have prevented the need for the current proposed hikes.
