Have your say on future water bills and investment at watchdog’s meeting
Residents will have the opportunity to hear first-hand how their water bills will measure up in the future when the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) meets in Dorset on Monday (24th September).
Following the publication of water company business plans for 2020 to 2025 at the beginning of September, the Water Watchdog will be providing consumers with an opportunity to hear how these proposals could affect them during the meeting at Dorchester Town Council.
Representatives from Bristol Water, Wessex Water, South West Water and Bournemouth Water will explain how they plan to use customers’ money to improve services and what this could mean for people’s bills. Members of the public will have the chance to put their questions to the companies.
David Heath CBE, Western Chair for CCWater, said:
This meeting is a great opportunity for consumers to come and hear how their companies’ plans could impact them in the coming years. We want people to make their voice heard and help us to keep the pressure on companies to deliver what customers want, at a price they find acceptable.
All four companies have promised a reduction in the average household bill – before inflation – ranging from an 11 per cent reduction from South West Water to a 4 per cent fall from Wessex Water. Other proposals include the introduction of a ‘WaterShare’ scheme from South West Water, which will see customers offered the opportunity to own shares in the business, and a commitment from Wessex Water to invest £1.4 billion over five years in a bid to reduce leakage.
A final decision on water companies’ plans will not be made by the regulator until December 2019. In the meantime CCWater will be closely scrutinising the proposals and challenging companies it feels have fallen short of customers’ expectations.
If you would like to attend please email Ioulia Hapeshis at [email protected]