Cheaper Water Bills Article Discussion

octoguy

octoguy

I'm with United Utilities. I recently complained about their increase in water charges. I know they are a privately owned monopoly so can charge what they want - with Ofwat agreement. Their rep told me that in the last three years their increases were as follows:

2024/5. 9.1%

2025/6 26.2%

2026/7 12.2%

How can they justify these increases - all "regulated by Ofwat". Whose side is Ofwat on?

Cardew

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82132013#Comment_82132013

Whilst there is a valid argument the profits are too high for some companies, the underlying reason is that when water was privatised in 1989 the companies inherited a largely Victorian water system that had been neglected for years.

Thus privatisation was a master stroke by Maggie Thatchers government to pass the huge financial liability to modernise the system to the companies, who pass the cost to their customers.