Water Companies Gone Rogue: They’re Sizing Up Their Bills
Three of the UK’s biggest water operators—South East Water, Anglian Water, and Southern Water—have thrown a hissy fit at Ofwat, the regulator that’s been calling for a 36 % bill bump over five years. It’s like the water world’s version of “I’m not paying for this!”
Ofwat’s Original Numbers
- Anglian Water: +29 %
- South East Water: +24 %
- Southern Water: +53 %
These were flicked back in December, but the big three aren’t buying it—especially the 53 % hike that feels a bit like a surprise calculus quiz.
Why the Restless CEOs Aren’t Settling Down
Mark Thurston (Anglian) said, “Ofwat’s goal was to align the interests of companies, investors, and customers, balancing risk and return. We’ve already ploughed in nearly £1 billion in efficiency savings, so this settlement just doesn’t cut it.”
Chris Train (South East) added, “We’ve taken a hard look, and unanimously think the current format jeopardises water security for our customers.”
Lawrence Gosden (Southern) put it bluntly: “This deal won’t let us upgrade the environment, performance, or the new infrastructure our communities deserve.”
What’s Next?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been asked to poke the regulator again—essentially a second round of “fine‑print review.” Stay tuned; this saga’s likely to keep washing up in the news for a while.
