Water bills could rise by nearly £200, despite Thames Water acknowledging that more than a fifth of its customers are already struggling with payments. The company, based in Reading, wants the regulator to approve its plans which would see the average charge to households soar from £433 per year to £628 by 2030 – an increase of 45 per cent. Regulator Ofwat wants the increase to be capped at £19 a year, taking bills to no more than £535 per year – just over £100, and an increase of 24 per cent. Thames Water says this would not be enough to allow it to invest in network upgrades. The company is …
