Major water firm planning to hike bills by up to 59% next year – adding £228 annually to household costs

THAMES Water is trying to hike customer bills by as much as 59 per cent, more than double what the regulator has deemed acceptable.

The troubled company wants to raise water bills by an average £18.99 a month – or £228 a year – to fund overdue investment in its leaky pipes and sewage systems.

AlamyOfwat has since said the percentage rise should be limited to 23 per cent[/caption] RexThames Water’s filings reveal that it needs to raise £3.3billion of new finance for its investment...