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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Ofwat calls for lower water bills | Ofwat calls for lower water bills |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Proposals set out by water regulator Ofwat will see average household water bills fall between 2010 and 2015. | Proposals set out by water regulator Ofwat will see average household water bills fall between 2010 and 2015. |
| Taking out the impact of inflation, the proposals, if accepted, would see the average water bill fall by £14 to £330. | Taking out the impact of inflation, the proposals, if accepted, would see the average water bill fall by £14 to £330. |
| According to the regulator, the proposals will allow water companies to invest £21bn in improving services over the next five years. | According to the regulator, the proposals will allow water companies to invest £21bn in improving services over the next five years. |
| Every five years, Ofwat sets limits on the prices that water and sewerage companies in the UK can charge. | Every five years, Ofwat sets limits on the prices that water and sewerage companies in the UK can charge. |
| 'Value for money' | 'Value for money' |
| Water companies submitted their business plans to Ofwat in April, and the regulator has now set price limits as well as suggested investment levels for each individual water supplier. | Water companies submitted their business plans to Ofwat in April, and the regulator has now set price limits as well as suggested investment levels for each individual water supplier. |
| People can shop around for the best deal on many things, but not water Regina Finn, chief executive, Ofwat | People can shop around for the best deal on many things, but not water Regina Finn, chief executive, Ofwat |
| There will now be a consultation period until a final decision from the regulator in November. | There will now be a consultation period until a final decision from the regulator in November. |
| The water companies have an opportunity to renegotiate in September and they can also appeal to the Competition Commission. | The water companies have an opportunity to renegotiate in September and they can also appeal to the Competition Commission. |
| The new bills will then come into effect in April 2010. | The new bills will then come into effect in April 2010. |
| "People can shop around for the best deal on many things, but not water. That's why we've challenged the companies' plans rigorously to ensure that customers get the best value for money," said Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn. | "People can shop around for the best deal on many things, but not water. That's why we've challenged the companies' plans rigorously to ensure that customers get the best value for money," said Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn. |
| "We understand times are hard and we have listened to what customers have told us. They want safe, reliable water supply at a reasonable cost," she added. | "We understand times are hard and we have listened to what customers have told us. They want safe, reliable water supply at a reasonable cost," she added. |
| Ofwat's proposals would see the average bill fall to £330 compared with a rise to £375 that the water companies had proposed in their business plans. | |
| The highest proposed bill was £517 from South West; the lowest was £318 from Severn Trent. | The highest proposed bill was £517 from South West; the lowest was £318 from Severn Trent. |
| Last time Ofwat set limits in 2004, the water companies asked for an average price increase of 29%, or £72 before inflation over five years. The regulator allowed them to raise prices by an average of 18%, or £46 before inflation. |