Bristol Water proposes bill increase of 26% above inflation

The Consumer Council for Water believes that customers will not be happy with price rises on this scale, especially in light of other household bill increases.

Reasons given by Bristol Water for the price increases include higher energy costs, and work needed to protect assets from natural disasters such as flooding.

Charles Howeson, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water in the Western region, said: "We are concerned that Bristol Water's investment proposals do not match consumer priorities, and believe that the work they are proposing will push prices up beyond what customers are willing to pay.

"The Consumer Council for Water, together with other industry stakeholders, asked consumers what they want from their water companies between 2010 and 2015.

"Consumers were very clear that keeping price rises in line with the rate of inflation is of paramount importance, along with making sure that there is enough water to meet demand, and reducing leakage.

"It will take time to analyse the draft business plan in detail, and we will be responding to Bristol Water with our concerns after comparing the company's pricing and investment plans with what consumers in the area have told us that they want."

The proposed price increases are being published as part of Bristol Water's draft business plan, which is being used as a starting point for the discussions that will decide water prices up until 2015. The exact amount that Bristol Water will be permitted to raise prices will be determined by the economic regulator, Ofwat, in November 2009.