HOUSEHOLD water and sewerage bills will rise by an average 5.5 per cent across England and Wales, industry regulator Ofwat said yesterday.
Northumbrian Water customers will see their bills rise by 5.6 per cent in April to an average of £268, below the national average of £294.
The average bill for Yorkshire Water customers will increase by £18 this year to £281.
Ofwat said the increases included inflation and were in line with the price limits it set in December 2004.
Some customers would pay less if they had a water meter, the regulator added.
Director general of water services Philip Fletcher said: "I realise that these bill increases will not be welcome, but I want to reassure customers that bills are going up by no more than is necessary.
"Price rises are unavoidable because of rising costs."
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