Investment in the 2025-30 period is likely to be about £89 billion , compared with £51 billion in the prior five years, according to Chris Walters, senior director for industry regulator Ofwat’s price review process.
The industry has been on the end of growing anger from the public and politicians after decades of underinvestment in water infrastructure resulted in leaking pipes and sewage spills into rivers and seas. But upping customers’ bills — which company executives have said is inevitable — will be a hard-sell during the country’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis.Water bills already have risen 350% since water companies were privatized more than 30 years ago and consumers are reluctant to pay more.