Water firm submits pricing plans

Customers can comment on the draft water plans

Water firms in England and Wales are presenting draft spending and pricing plans for the five-year period starting from 2010 to regulator Ofwat.

Anglian Water said it expects bills to rise by 3.5% above the rate of inflation during that period.

The company also announced proposals to invest £2.5bn in its services and infrastructure from 2010 to 2015.

If accepted, the investment programme would increase the average household bill from £360 in 2010 to £373 in 2015.

Anglian Water has asked customers and interested parties to comment on its draft plans before they are resubmitted to Ofwat next year.

'Above-inflation rises'

Customers can give their feedback directly or via the Consumer Council for Water.

Anglian Water chief executive Jonson Cox said: "We are determined to keep price increases as low as we can between 2010 and 2015 by prioritising our investment and being efficient."

"We believe that this proposal represents good value for money for our customers."

Sir James Perowne, chair of the Consumer Council for Water Central and Eastern, said: "The average increase in annual bills of £13 before inflation, although modest, will stretch some people when added to other household price increases."

Ofwat will decide whether to allow above-inflation price rises.

"This is the start of the process of making decisions on how each company proposes to provide value-for-money, long-term, high-quality water services to its customers," said Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn.