Southern Water ‘considering bill rises of 73%’
1 year, 6 months ago

Southern Water ‘considering bill rises of 73%’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Southern Water is proposing to charge customers an extra £279 a year on their bills by 2030, documents from a focus group reveal. The least cost option would save a further £3-a-year rise by 2030 – giving Southern Water £60 million – but the company would not invest in accelerating work to reduce sewage discharges from the top 30 spilling storm overflows. “This is why it is important we work together with our communities, in finding the right balance.” This absolute scandal makes it crystal clear that our privatised water system is broken Cat Hobbs, We Own It Cat Hobbs is the director of We Own It, a group campaigning for public ownership of the water companies. She said that, according to a poll of more than 4,000 people commissioned by her group, 69% support public ownership, adding: “This absolute scandal makes it crystal clear that our privatised water system is broken.

Million Southern Customers Southern Water Sewage Water Bills Public Ownership  73  bill  million  group  considering  2030  sewage  customers  southern  rises  water  bills  breaking  sign

History of this topic

Furious homeowners brand highest water bill hikes in the UK 'bonkers' as tens of thousands face Christmas weekend cut off from supplies after 'technical issue'
Trending News
3 days, 22 hours ago

Furious homeowners brand highest water bill hikes in the UK 'bonkers' as tens of thousands face Christmas weekend cut off from supplies after 'technical issue'

Daily Mail  

Residents across Hampshire are furious at seeing their water bills increase after thousands of homes were left without supplies following a 'technical issue'. The issue began on Wednesday morning after Southern Water issued an update confirming there was a technical problem at the Testwood water supply works preventing water from leaving the site. Long queues of cars could be seen …

Southern Water outage: More than 58,000 homes could be without water until the weekend amid 'technical issue' at supply works
Trending News
4 days, 12 hours ago

Southern Water outage: More than 58,000 homes could be without water until the weekend amid 'technical issue' at supply works

Daily Mail  

Tens of thousands of homes could be without water until the weekend because of a 'technical issue' at a Southern Water supply works. Lots of residents say they are on the priority list but are yet to get any water Southern Water said it is 'so sorry' after thousands of people were left without water. Pamela Bird, 81, and her …

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by?
Trending News
4 days, 12 hours ago

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by …

What do rising water bills mean for YOU? All your questions answered as average household set to pay an extra £31 per year
Trending News
4 days, 13 hours ago

What do rising water bills mean for YOU? All your questions answered as average household set to pay an extra £31 per year

Daily Mail  

Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat announced today. Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by a total of £157 or 36 per cent over the next five years – an average £31 a year over that period. The Committee will hold …

Thames Water slapped with £18m fine by Ofwat for dishing out 'unjustified' dividends
4 days, 14 hours ago

Thames Water slapped with £18m fine by Ofwat for dishing out 'unjustified' dividends

Daily Mail  

Thames Water has been handed an £18.2million fine after regulator Ofwat used powers to crack down on firms paying 'unjustified' dividends for the first time. The regulator said Thames Water made interim dividend payouts totalling £37.5million to its holding company, Thames Water Utilities Holdings Limited, in October last year and further payouts of about £158.3million in March 2024. The ruling …

Water bills set to surge by 36%, regulator Ofwat says
Trending News
4 days, 15 hours ago

Water bills set to surge by 36%, regulator Ofwat says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by …

Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April
Top News
4 days, 16 hours ago

Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Household water bills in England …

Brits get soaked again! Check how much YOUR water bill is going up by after watchdog signs off massive hikes... with some places facing 53% rise PLUS inflation
4 days, 16 hours ago

Brits get soaked again! Check how much YOUR water bill is going up by after watchdog signs off massive hikes... with some places facing 53% rise PLUS inflation

Daily Mail  

Water bosses were today given the green light for huge bill hikes averaging 36 per cent over the next five years. Southern Water customers are being hit hardest with bills going up 53 per cent over the period - and inflation projected to add another 10 per cent. The water firms provide supplies to England and Wales The proposed bill …

Households ‘to be hit with hike in water bills of at least 20 per cent’ sparking backlash
1 week, 1 day ago

Households ‘to be hit with hike in water bills of at least 20 per cent’ sparking backlash

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Households are going to be hit with a hike in water …

Thames Water boss defends bonuses and repeats calls for steep bills hikes
1 week, 6 days ago

Thames Water boss defends bonuses and repeats calls for steep bills hikes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Regulator Ofwat revealed in November that Thames Water was …

Water firms blocked from using customer cash for ‘undeserved’ £6.8m boss bonuses
1 month ago

Water firms blocked from using customer cash for ‘undeserved’ £6.8m boss bonuses

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nine water companies, including stricken …

Water firms blocked from using billpayer cash for ‘unjustifiable’ bonuses
1 month ago

Water firms blocked from using billpayer cash for ‘unjustifiable’ bonuses

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Troubled Thames Water is among …

Southern Water gets rating downgrade amid ‘challenging funding conditions’
1 month ago

Southern Water gets rating downgrade amid ‘challenging funding conditions’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Southern Water has suffered another …

Thames Water: Fears of more bill hikes as £38bn bill revealed
1 month ago

Thames Water: Fears of more bill hikes as £38bn bill revealed

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “We take a rigorous approach to financial discipline …

One of Britain’s worst-performing water suppliers turns to vulture funds for rescue deal
1 month, 2 weeks ago

One of Britain’s worst-performing water suppliers turns to vulture funds for rescue deal

The Telegraph  

One of Britain’s worst-performing water companies has turned to vulture funds for crunch funding as mainstream lenders turn their backs on the beleaguered sector. Southern Water, which supplies more than 2m homes, is understood to have secured a deal with a group of hedge funds after struggling to raise fresh funding from the conventional capital markets. Last week, S&P lowered …

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage

The Telegraph  

Failing water companies face lighter punishments under a climbdown being prepared by the industry regulator, risking an increase in leakages, water supply interruptions, and pollution. Investors in Britain’s water sector have rounded on the watchdog, claiming its hardline stance risks deterring further foreign investment in the industry at a time when it is crying out for billions of pounds of …

Water companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike
2 months ago

Water companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Water companies ask to raise bills by even more than first planned
2 months ago

Water companies ask to raise bills by even more than first planned

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The watchdog wrote: “We will consider this additional expenditure …

Water firms to return £158m to customers over leaks and pollution failings
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Water firms to return £158m to customers over leaks and pollution failings

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water companies will have to …

Water companies ordered to pay back £158m to customers
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Water companies ordered to pay back £158m to customers

The Telegraph  

Water companies have been ordered to return £158m to households as they were rebuked over their poor performance. It comes after water companies’ sewage spills into English rivers and seas more than doubled last year, adding to growing public outrage over the privatised utilities sector. Ofwat chief executive David Black warned that water companies kept blaming “outside causes” rather than …

Southern Water rows back on plans to pay out £275m in dividends
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Southern Water rows back on plans to pay out £275m in dividends

The Telegraph  

Southern Water no longer plans to hand out £275m in dividends after claiming the payments are not “appropriate”. The reversal comes after Southern Water’s initial business plan, which is still available on its website, listed annual dividend payments between 2025 and 2030. “This is in addition to the £1.6bn already injected by shareholders since 2021 – more than any dividends …

What will it cost to finally clean up our water industry?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

What will it cost to finally clean up our water industry?

The Independent  

These are only some of the problems facing the water industry – and a row has erupted about how much money will be needed to solve them. Water UK, the industry’s lobby group, is unhappy about Ofwat’s decision to allow average household bills to rise by £94 per household over the next five years. that its draft decision to cut …

Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In its response to Ofwat’s draft determination on water companies’ …

British water firms fined for sewage pollution
4 months, 2 weeks ago

British water firms fined for sewage pollution

China Daily  

A van for the water treatment company Thames Water, is driven along a residential street in Guildford, southern England, Aug 6, 2024. Three major water utility companies in the United Kingdom face 168 million pounds in fines for numerous illegal sewage releases into rivers and coastal waters. Ofwat stated that the water companies "failed to ensure that discharges of untreated …

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report
5 months ago

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report

Daily Mail  

Sewage spills are still rising in the UK with water companies failing to get the crisis under control, the Environment Agency has warned in a damning report The agency said there were 47 serious pollution incidents last year – up from 44 in 2022. Shocking photos from August 2022 showed how Lake Windermere in the Lake District turned bright green …

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways
5 months ago

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways

Daily Mail  

Every single river in England is polluted, the new Environment Secretary claimed today as he backed new 'severe fines' for water companies. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last week revealed all 11 water firms in England and Wales are under scrutiny as part of a major investigation into sewage pollution in rivers. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last …

New regulations as Labour tries to answer public anger over water companies
5 months ago

New regulations as Labour tries to answer public anger over water companies

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government is bringing in …

Fury as water bills are set to rise by £94 over next five years as regulator allow firms to hike prices by 21 per cent - so how much is your bill going up by?
5 months, 1 week ago

Fury as water bills are set to rise by £94 over next five years as regulator allow firms to hike prices by 21 per cent - so how much is your bill going up by?

Daily Mail  

In 2023, there 3.6 million hours of sewage spills in England's rivers and seas Customers have been left outraged after water bill hikes were revealed today with prices set to soar by £94 in five years. Regulator Ofwat has allowed firms to increase bills by 21 per cent, amid public outrage over polluted water ways and 3.6 million hours worth …

Starmer vows to make underperforming water bosses ‘personally responsible’
5 months, 1 week ago

Starmer vows to make underperforming water bosses ‘personally responsible’

The Telegraph  

It emerged on Thursday that Britain’s biggest water company, which serves 16 million customers in London and the south east, will face more intrusive oversight from Ofwat after being put into special measures. Chris Walters, an Ofwat director said: “It is difficult for us to stand behind a plan that a board can’t stand behind.” As part of its announcement …

Water investors have withdrawn billions from private companies, analyst claims
7 months ago

Water investors have withdrawn billions from private companies, analyst claims

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Shareholders in some of the UK’s largest water companies have …

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?
7 months ago

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?

Daily Mail  

Britain's greatest beauty spots and most stunning waterways are being continually polluted by water companies who say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade the network to prevent leakage in half of all cases, MailOnline can reveal. Data analysis by MailOnline shows water firms decided there was 'no cost beneficial solution' to prevent 280 discharge sites in England that, due …

Troubled water company warns of 44% increase in bills
8 months ago

Troubled water company warns of 44% increase in bills

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Thames Water, which is battling to survive amid a funding …

Thames Water seeks 45pc bill rise as it piles pressure on Ofwat
8 months ago

Thames Water seeks 45pc bill rise as it piles pressure on Ofwat

The Telegraph  

It emerged on Monday that feared US hedge fund Elliott, owner of Waterstones, has been buying up debt in Thames Water in a bid to profit from its recent turmoil, the Financial Times reported. The need for increased revenues at Thames Water has been made increasingly acute after shareholders, such as China’s sovereign wealth fund, cut off funding last month. …

Steve Coogan blasts water company ‘greenwashing’ over Lake Windermere pollution
8 months, 1 week ago

Steve Coogan blasts water company ‘greenwashing’ over Lake Windermere pollution

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Steve Coogan has accused United …

Raising bills to pay for Thames Water failures ‘utterly outrageous’, says Hunt
8 months, 1 week ago

Raising bills to pay for Thames Water failures ‘utterly outrageous’, says Hunt

The Telegraph  

Jeremy Hunt has said that it would be “utterly outrageous” for Ofwat to grant Thames Water’s demands for higher household bills as it faces potential insolvency. The Chancellor said shareholders in the embattled utility company had “an obligation to sort out the mess”, when asked whether they had a duty to inject more cash into the business. Speaking at a …

South West Water owner delays environmental performance rating target
8 months, 4 weeks ago

South West Water owner delays environmental performance rating target

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The company behind South West …

Five water firms in court over allegations of under-reporting pollution
9 months ago

Five water firms in court over allegations of under-reporting pollution

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Five UK water companies have …

Welsh Water to pay out almost £40m after misleading over poor performance
9 months, 1 week ago

Welsh Water to pay out almost £40m after misleading over poor performance

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Welsh Water has been ordered …

Inside the water industry’s £96bn plan to clean up Britain’s rivers
1 year, 2 months ago

Inside the water industry’s £96bn plan to clean up Britain’s rivers

The Telegraph  

In the coming weeks, water company executives will face questions from the public in a fresh series of “your water, your say” meetings. At previous sessions this year, conducted via video conference, bosses from Thames Water, South West Water, United Utilities and others were asked to explain their poor record tackling leaks and river pollution. Under plans to clean up …

Water bills will rise by 35pc in biggest hike ever to fix sewage crisis
1 year, 2 months ago

Water bills will rise by 35pc in biggest hike ever to fix sewage crisis

The Telegraph  

Household water bills will rise more than £150 a year as the industry brings in major new investment to fix the sewage crisis. “Water companies are seeking regulatory approval to reduce overflow spills into rivers and seas as fast as possible and to doubling the number of households receiving support to pay their bills. Approving the plans is necessary so …

Water firms face £800m legal action after ‘underreporting sewage discharges’
1 year, 4 months ago

Water firms face £800m legal action after ‘underreporting sewage discharges’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Six English water companies will face legal action over allegations …

Thames Water crisis explained as utility giant serving 15m people faces collapse
1 year, 5 months ago

Thames Water crisis explained as utility giant serving 15m people faces collapse

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He told Sky News: “Absolutely nothing is going to happen …

Water firms given go-ahead for £2.2bn of upgrades
1 year, 5 months ago

Water firms given go-ahead for £2.2bn of upgrades

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water companies will be allowed …

South West Water boss gives up £440,000 bonus amid sewage leak backlash
1 year, 6 months ago

South West Water boss gives up £440,000 bonus amid sewage leak backlash

The Telegraph  

The boss of South West Water-owner Pennon Group has given up £440,000 in bonuses in the wake of record water quality fines for the company. Her decision comes amid growing public anger over the volume of sewage dumped in rivers and on beaches as water companies continue large payouts to shareholders. The firm was fined £2.15m in April for illegally …

People refusing to pay wastewater bills over anger at sewage pollution
1 year, 6 months ago

People refusing to pay wastewater bills over anger at sewage pollution

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “You’re trying to charge me for something I’m not getting and I will not pay that until you stop …

Protesters across the UK call for an end to sewage spills in Britain's waterways in 'paddle outs'
1 year, 7 months ago

Protesters across the UK call for an end to sewage spills in Britain's waterways in 'paddle outs'

Daily Mail  

The campaign claims that more than 300,000 sewage spills took place in 2022 Surfer's Against Sewage said it was growing 'sick and tired' of water pollution Protestors flocked to 12 UK bathing spots today to call for an end to sewage spills Protestors flocked to beaches across the UK today as they called for an end to devastating sewage spills. …

Anglian Water customers could face £91 annual bill increase
1 year, 7 months ago

Anglian Water customers could face £91 annual bill increase

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Anglian Water customers could face an increase on their bills of £91 a year – …

Fines for polluting water companies to rise 1,000-fold to £250m under plans to clean up rivers and seas, government says
2 years, 2 months ago

Fines for polluting water companies to rise 1,000-fold to £250m under plans to clean up rivers and seas, government says

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The new environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, has said the government will act to clean up …

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods
2 years, 4 months ago

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “No amount of financial penalties can undo the damage caused by wastewater companies polluting the environment or ease the …

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