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Ofwat calls for cheaper water bills
By Rebecca Atkinson
Household water bills should reduce over the next five years, under new proposals set out by the regulator.Taking out the impact of inflation, the average bill should be cut by around 4% or £14 to £330 a year by 2015. Ofwat, which regulates water companies and has the power to limit any proposed price hikes, says that, once the rising cost of living is taken into account, water bills should remain "broadly stable" for the next five years.Water companies initially proposed to Ofwat that bills should rise to an average of £375 a year, with some areas paying as much as £517.Ofwat also wants companies to invest £21 billion in improving services to their customer, with special attention paid to flood-prevention measures and protecting the environment.Regina Finn, chief executive officer of Ofwat, says: "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 from the £21 billion of investment."She adds: "We understand times are hard and we have listened to what customers have told us. They want a safe, reliable water supply at a reasonable cost."Ofwat will now consult with water companies, with a final decision made in November. It is expected that water companies will appeal its proposals and could even refer the matter to the Competition Commission.The last time Ofwat put its foot down on water bills was in 2004, when it rejected water companies' proposals for a 29% price hike over five years and instead only allowed a rise of 18%.Slash your water bill1. Install a water meterInstalling a water meter can help you monitor your water usage and lower your bill by up to 21%, according to Ofwat.The amount you save will depend on what you currently pay, the number of people in your house, and how much water you use. If you have more bedrooms than people living in your home, you could benefit from a water meter.Use the Consumer Council for Water's calculator on its website to see if you could benefit. For most customers, fitting a meter is free - just contact your water company to find out.Once you've installed a meter, you can follow the tips below to help reduce the amount of water you use.2. Flush itYour toilet uses about 30% of the total water used in your household. You can reduce this by installing a water-efficient dual-flush toilet.If you don't want to replace your loo, consider installing a cistern displacement device such as a 'Save a flush' bag or a 'Hippo'. These are free from most water companies and are easy to install.3. Washing upWait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher or washing machine to save water, energy and money. If your washing machine's old, it might be worth investing in a new one. Waterwise.org.uk lists all the washing machines available on the UK market by water efficiency.4. The bathroomOpt for a shower rather than a soak in the tub; a typical bath uses twice as much water. Power showers, however, can use just as much water as a bath, so fit a low-flow one instead.Also make sure you turn off the tap when brushing your teeth; leaving it running can waste over six litres of water a minute.5. Green fingersMany of us see our water bills rise in summer, as we tend our gardens. A hosepipe can emit as much as 18 litres of water a minute, so fit a trigger gun to control the flow - or use a watering can instead.If you have a sprinkler, make sure you use it in the early morning or in the evening to avoid water evaporating from your garden.
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