Water bills in East Lancashire set to rise (From Chorley Citizen)

Water bills in East Lancashire set to rise

1:47pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in East Lancashire By Emma Cruces, Reporter

HOUSEHOLDS in Lancashire will see more than £125million poured into preventing flooding and wasted water over the next 12 months.

But average water bills in the county are expected to rise due to inflation to around £406, a rise of around £13 per household this year.

However United Utilities say they will also be spending the money to deliver vital engineering schemes.

The company said the works being undertaken would reduce water leaks and sewer flooding, safeguard future water supplies and help protect rivers and bathing waters.

Projects will include a £7million scheme to enchance water quality in the River Irwell and £18m on work to upgrade Lancaster’s ageing sewer network.

The schemes are part of a record-breaking £3.6 billion investment programme for the North West’s water and wastewater network, running between 2010 and 2015.

Average household water bills are set to rise from April 1.

Gary Dixon, United Utilities' customer services director, said: “The small increase in prices this year is due largely to the rise in inflation.

“Even so, customers in the North West will still be paying around £1 per day, about the same as a loaf of bread, for all their water and sewerage services.

“We’ll be putting that money to good use, by ensuring the region’s water network, treatment works and sewer systems get the investment needed to deliver the service our customers expect.

“It is estimated that this investment programme is pumping around £7 billion into the North West economy.”