Households in England and Wales must splash out more as water bills rise again

Average bills to go up by 5.4% in April, with Ofwat approving record spending plans amid outrage over sewage spills

Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 33 per household in April, in the latest above-inflation increase intended to fix leaking pipes and sewage treatment works.

The increase will push the average annual water bill to 639 in the year from 1 April, up 5.4% on the previous year, according to figures published on Thursday by Water UK, a lobby group for the industry.