Residents face water bill rise

Switch to a meter and save, says water company

Hard- pressed householders in Peterborough are set to see their water bills rise by about four per cent, which is above the rate of inflation, next year.

The increase follows another above- inflation rise of about 5.4 per cent in the previous financial year.

Officials of Anglian Water stress that for householders who change to pay by a water meter, the rise next year will be in there gion of 2.8 percent.

Martyn Oakley, the company’s customer services director, said: “There al winners this year will be those customers who make the switch from an un measured bill to a water meter.

“For those already on a meter or who stick with bills tied to the old rateable value of their home, the rise will be about four per cent, although customers with a meter will

“That investment

will allow us to maintain and improve our essential equipment above and below

the ground ...” Martyn Oakley, Anglian Water

see smaller rises than those without.”

The increase – 3.4 per cent for metered customers and 4.1 for unmeasured customers – is based on the rate of inflation in November, 3percent, when the bills were calculated.

Since then the figure has fallen to 2.7 per cent.

Anglian Water says the extra cash will help pay for its investment programme, which this year will be £ 466 million.

The spend includes £ 7 mil- lion to connect homes in Cambridge shire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk to the mains sewers for the first time as well as £ 25 million on replacement and renewal of water mains across the region.

Of the £ 466 million sum, Mr Oakley said: “That investment will allow us to maintain and improve our essential equipment above and below the ground, support growth and recovery in these tough economic times and protect our environment against the impacts of climate change.”

Mary Cooke ( 74), from the Peterborough Pensioners’ Association, said she feared for public health as people skimp onwater use - in particular, in terms of hygeine but also staying hydrated.

She said: “The biggest problem we will get is people ending up in hospital because of a lack of fluids.”

She added: “I think all groups will be affected, but in particular young children, the elderly and those who are sick and infirm.”