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HISTORICAL FACTS: 3 | History Defined

Water bills in England and Wales to rise by £123 on average this year

Largest price hike since privatisation is even more than the £86 predicted by Ofwat as companies add inflation on top

The Guardian - UK

Why are water bills going up so much?

Households are facing the largest rise in water bills since the privatisation of the industry 36 years ago.

Evening Standard

Yearly water bills to rise by average £123 from April 1

The rise, confirmed by industry body Water UK, will take the average bill in England and Wales from £480 to £603 for the next year alone.

Evening Standard

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Water bills set to rise an average £123 from April – check your area

The rise will take the average bill in England and Wales from £480 to £603 for the next year alone

The Independent UK

United Utilities and Pennon to increase dividend payments as water bills rise

Both will raise dividends in line with inflation, as South West Water and United Utilities bills to increase 23% and 32% over five years

The Guardian - UK

United Utilities and South West Water hike dividends amid bill increases

The companies said they had agreed 32% and 23% bill increases negotiated with regulator Ofwat last year.

The Independent UK

Sewage scandals and bill increases mark year of woe for water industry

Public fury swelled yet again at water companies’ worsening records on sewage as firms announced steep hikes to consumer bills.

The Independent UK

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Pennon losses widen after South West Water’s parasite outbreak in Devon

London-listed company Pennon said the incident in Brixham, south Devon, cost it £16.3 million, contributing to deepening first-half losses.

Evening Standard

Thames Water credit ratings slashed to lower levels of junk as default fears grow

S&P and Moody’s cut ratings by five notches on risk troubled company will run out of cash

The Guardian - UK

South West Water faces court threat over sewage spill at Exmouth Beach in Devon

South West Water taken to court for spilling sewage at Exmouth beach

The Independent UK

Environment Agency considering legal action after sewage spill at Devon beach

South West Water could face prosecution after sewer burst at nearby treatment plant

The Guardian - UK

Holidaymakers warned not to swim on popular Devon beach after sewage leak

Residents are outraged over the leak disrupting trade for local businesses at one of the busiest times of the year

The Independent UK

‘Do not swim’ warning issued for Exmouth Beach

‘Bathing is currently not advised’, said East Devon District Council

The Independent UK

Sea swimming was my saviour. But the dumping of sewage changed everything

My daily dips were a game-changer for my mental health. Now I’m suing the water company that’s deprived me of them, says Jo Bateman

The Guardian - UK

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The Conversation

Britain’s ‘broken’ water system: a history of death, denial and diarrhoea

In the spring of 2024, residents of the south Devon harbour town of Brixham kept falling ill. Their symptoms – including “awful stomach complaints, bad diarrhoea and severe headaches” – went on for weeks. A retired GP who ventured to the pub after finally recovering from the illness recalled that,…

The Guardian - UK

Global heating will increase risk of parasite outbreaks, say South West Water owners

Pennon Group annual report lists dangers to water quality posed by higher temperatures

The Guardian - UK

South West Water owner’s boss should lose all bonuses after Devon parasite outbreak

Pennon boss Susan Davy gave up part of pay for a second year, but she should also miss cash from long-term incentive plan

The Independent UK

South West Water hands boss huge pay hike despite pollution soaring

The pay details come as the group also revealed that pollution incidents at South West Water soared by 80% in 2023

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Evening Standard

Pennon chair to go weeks after Devon water contamination scandal and dividend outcry

Gill Rider to leave the firm that recommended a £127 million investor payout days after water supply made scores of people ill

The Guardian - UK

Boss of South West Water’s owner gains £300,000 pay rise

Pay rise for Pennon Group CEO Susan Davy comes despite outrage over Devon diarrhoea outbreak caused by polluted water

The Guardian - UK

Water firm seizes stake in Devon sewage protester’s home over unpaid bills

Imogen May has withheld payments since 2019 and is thought to be one of thousands boycotting water charges

The Guardian - UK

Only three water company prosecutions in England and Wales for unfit drinking supply

Figures show breaches have rarely led to prosecution by Drinking Water Inspectorate since 2021

The Independent UK

Thames Water warns hundreds of people in Surrey not to drink tap water

Up to 616 homes in Bramley, Surrey, were told to avoid using tap water for drinking, cooking, or brushing their teeth

Evening Standard

Thames Water carries out tests after south London residents report sickness and vomiting

Utilities firm says tests did not reveal any water failures after reports of sickness in Beckenham

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water tests for vomiting bug contamination as families fall sick

After cryptosporidium outbreak in Devon, residents in south-east London report stomach cramps and diarrhoea

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