Water companies seek even higher bill increases than first indicated - with rises up to 84%

Water companies across England and Wales are asking for bills to be made even higher than they first requested, with one company seeking an 84% hike.

The biggest water company in the UK, Thames Water, is now looking for bills to rise 53% by 2029/30, according to figures published by water regulator Ofwat.

The biggest rise - 84% - is sought by Southern Water.

Of all eleven English and Welsh water and wastewater firms only one utility, Wessex Water, is not seeking even higher bills than they first requested from the regulator in July.

Ofwat will make its final decision for how much water bills can rise on 19 December. Its interim decision, made in July, said the average bill could rise 21% a year.

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