Water company bosses have announced average bills will increase by more than £15 between 2010 and 2015.
Chiefs at Three Valleys Water say average annual prices will rise by 2.5 per cent above inflation over the five year period, from £149 to £167.
The firm has also announced it is set to invest £500m in water services from 2010 to 2015.
A spoke
sman for Three Valleys Water said: "Our draft proposals also take into account the effect of increasing costs, such as energy.
"Our (investment] plans focus on five main areas identified by customers as their priorities."
She added the priorities according to customers were meeting demand, water quality, environmentally-friendly supply, minimising disruption to supply and keeping bills low.
Investment is now planned in the following areas:
• water metres in more homes to lower consumption and bills
• increased rate of repair for the company's 14,000km network of pipes
• overall improvements to customer service
• investment in 'above-ground assets' such as storage and treatment plants to improve supply
The announcements by Three Valleys Water were made as water companies across the UK hand drafts of five-year business plans for 2010 to 2015 to the industry watchdog Ofwat.
Final investment plans and customer charges for all companies will be announced by Ofwat in November 2009.
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