Water bills for households in England and Wales to rise by £31 a year

Average bill will rise by 157 over five years to 597 after regulator agrees to increases in amount firms can charge

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Household water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 31 a year for the next five years from April, as suppliers pay to fix leaky pipes and cut pollution.

The industry regulator Ofwat said on Thursday it would allow companies to raise average bills will rise by 157 over five years to 597 by 2030 to help pay for investment. That represents a 36% increase before inflation, which will be added on top.