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Leeds and Wakefield: Rising water rates to hit households
Water rates are set to rise by an average of £21, putting households at risk of increased debt.
Average household water bills – metered and unmetered – will increase by an above-inflation 6.1 per cent from £340 to £361 on April 1.
That works out at an extra £1.75 a month.
Price hikes come despite a pledge by Ofwat to keep customer charges broadly flat until 2015.
A higher-than-forecast inflation rate of around 5 per cent has been blamed.
Nationally, Yorkshire Water’s new prices put it ‘mid table’ when compared to other water and sewerage company rates.
But overall the water authority announced the third largest increase in charges.
Richard Flint, Yorkshire Water’s chief executive, said the extra cash will go towards a £376m investment plan for 2012/13.
Planned improvements include:
l £8 million to be spent on new water pipes in Leeds to improve drinking water quality; and
l £120 million to help reduce the risk of sewer flooding by improving waste water treatment facilities.
Mr Flint said: “Whilst the majority of this rise is down to inflation, the remainder of the increase will be used to fund our ongoing investment in Yorkshire.”
Dame Yve Buckland, chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “In the current economic climate, many customers are struggling with rising household bills and the level of water debt is growing.”
She added that CCW would be working with Ofwat to ensure any future increases were affordable.
Anyone unable to pay a bill should contact their local provider immediately.
Low consumption or single households could save by having a water meter installed.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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Wind direction: East
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