The Consumer Council for Water says today’s (Friday) final decisions by the regulator Ofwat on what water companies in Wales can charge customers from 2015 to 2020 represents a victory for customers.

Ofwat has confirmed customers of Wales’ largest water supplier – Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water – will see the average household water and sewerage bill fall by 5 per cent from £440 in 2014/15 to £416 by 2020, before inflation is added.

Customers of Dee Valley Water in north Wales will also see the average household water bill fall by 2 per cent from £152 in 2014/15 to £149 by 2020 before inflation.

Clare Evans, local consumer advocate for CCWater Wales, said: “This is a victory for water customers in Wales, whose views have driven the decisions on water prices and services more than ever before.”

“We’ve successfully challenged Dŵr Cymru and Dee Valley Water to listen to what their customers want on price and service and we will keep a close eye on their performance to ensure they fulfil these commitments.”

“Customers should be aware that companies are allowed to add inflation to water and sewerage charges each year so their bill may still rise above its current level by 2020. That will hurt some households who are already struggling to pay their bill and we will be pressing water companies to help ensure they get the support they need.”

Today’s announcement marks the end of a long process which has seen CCWater Wales and customer challenge groups negotiating hard with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Dee Valley Water and Ofwat to deliver a deal on price, service and investment that reflects what customers accept and can afford.

You can read full details of Ofwat’s final decisions on water company prices and services opens in new window