Water prices up for discussion

CONSUMER body WaterVoice Eastern was set to meet with water companies in Ipswich today to discuss proposals for prices over the next five years. Ofwat's draft decisions over how much water companies across the region can charge their customers over the period 2005-10 will be discussed at the meeting on which will be open to the public.

In draft price limits published by Ofwat, three of the region's water companies saw their proposed price rises for the next five years cut.

WaterVoice Eastern, which looks after the interests of customers of Anglian, Cambridge, Tendring Hundred and Essex and Suffolk said it is pleased Ofwat has reduced the companies' proposals for price rises.

However it wants to ensure customers' priorities will be met.

WaterVoice Eastern will be looking particularly at the security of supply, drinking water quality and minimising sewer flooding to make sure these will not be affected by the proposed reduction in prices.

Catherine Harvey, WaterVoice Eastern chairman, said: "We welcome the proposed reduction in prices for customers and the demanding efficiency targets.

"We are pleased we have been listened to but we are still concerned about the large increase in 2005-06 the first of the five-year period and the impact this will have on those who already find it difficult to pay their water bill.

"We are also concerned about the proposed reduction to the sewer flooding programme.

"We would like customers to tell us what they think about the proposed water prices for 2005-10 so we can include them in our formal response to Ofwat in mid October before Ofwat makes its final decision in December."

The meeting was being held at the Holiday Inn Ipswich.

Customers can also write to WaterVoice Eastern or e mail them at eastern @watervoice.org.uk