Water bills set to soar over next 5 years

tiff

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article4502869.ece

c0sie

So not only are we surrounded by people and news websites telling us that the economy is in crisis, we are suffering a credit crunch and that we could be verging on a recession...yet companys supplying such things as Gas, Water and Electricity are hoiking theor prices up in the midst of all this?

And, to cap that off, how may times a week do we read that a major supplier of such items has posted record profits?

Where does it end? How long till even the most average-Joe family income cannot cope with the increased prices that we are being charged?

1socrates1

With gas and electricity there is the option to cap prices, is this on offer for water too?

moonrakerz

Perhaps you should read this "Shock/Horror, lets panic everyone" story first !

I quote:-
"Thames Water customers currently pay £280 a year on average for their water, but this is expected to increase to £303 in 2010-11 and £329 in 2014-15."

This works out a a 17.5% increase over 6 /7 years - hardly "soaring prices" ! Usual sensationalist clap-trap from the media - surprised it's the Times though !

c0sie

Might not be soaring for you..but for those of us who live on the edge of our budgets..its something to consider.

Andy_Hamilton

They should put the price per CM3 up not the standing charge. The less you use, the less you pay for people who are wise.

I'm saving around £10 per month compared to my neighbours (same amount of people etc) and have just installed water saving products to save around 20-30%.

Pay back is under a year then real savings after that.

I do feel sorry for people who are that close to the edge but there are savings to be made by simple things.

whatatwit

Don't worry Andy, the price per CM3 will rise also, at least it has every other year.
It does make me cross when you see people wasting water, hosing down their driveways, when a brush and shovel would work well, Or a bucket of water and a stiff brush.
I think we should all be on meters wherever possible.

Dijor

Whoppee!!! Try living in Cornwall where the average price in 5 years time for non-metered customers, like myself, are going to pay £950 per year.

I already pay £800 per year which is disgusting and outrageous - think yourselves lucky!

MrsTinks

We're metered and there is only 2 of us... the cost of 2 years worth of water was about £400 I think (I'll dog out the demand) which ran up because Thames water refused to believe the house had been demolished and a new one built in it's place... yep same address and everything! Heck they even installed the meter but wouldn't believe us for 2 years!!!
So... Dijor - get on a water meter!
Btw Thames water is set for 3% above inflation rises... apparently the highest according to the BBC... All because of "improvements" to the suppoly lines etc mainly in London... well I don't live in London so why on earth should I pay for that! They're not improving ANYTHING in our region yet I still have to pay more... that don't seem fair either to me

bigpeterlg

i work for a large and well known water company and can see both sides of the fence with regard to the recently announced price rises.
yes part of the price rises are partly to do with agreed improvments agreed with the regulator and improved leekage.
part of the reason for the price rises is also to cover the massive rises in energy bills that the water companies have to cover as well, just like every other consumer as the monthly bills have doubled.
my company is quite lucky and has reservoirs which are able to gravity feed into the water system rather than rely on purly pumping water from rivers or boreholes but these are still used if and when required and this is why thames and other companies that rely on pumping water from rivers and boreholes are putting there prices up by so much.

tiamaria

Ah - but would a water meter be of benefit to us with large families?

Sounds good for 2 people but there's 5 of us!