Water bills 'to fall by 5% by 2020'

Investment in water infrastructure is one of the factors that affect the price consumers pay

Household water bills in England and Wales will fall by an average of 5% - not including inflation - by 2020, the regulator Ofwat has ruled.

This would see average bills fall by about £20 from £396 to £376.

The regulator considered plans submitted by the 18 water and sewerage companies outlining proposed costs and prices.

Companies will invest more than £44bn in the next five years to improve services, Ofwat said.

"With bills held down by 5% and service driven up over the next five years, customers will get more and pay less," said Cathryn Ross, Ofwat chief executive.

The new charges will come into effect in April 2015.

For water and sewage charges, Anglian customers will see the greatest percentage drop in yearly bills, down 10% to an average of £390 by 2019-20.

Northumbrian customers will see the smallest change in their bills, dropping 1% to £382.

Severn Trent customers will have the cheapest yearly bills, at £316.

Companies have two months to accept Ofwat's decision, or seek a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30444592