- Water companies have been ordered to return millions back through lower bills
Water companies have been ordered to return nearly £158million to customers after falling short of standards, the regulator has said.
Ofwat has said that water firms in England and Wales will have to pay a £157.6million penalty after missing key targets on reducing pollution, leaks and supply interruptions while customer satisfaction continues to fall.
The penalty, which will be returned to customers via lowers bills next year, marks an increase from the £114million that firms were forced to pay back last year.
Over a third of the new £156.8million fine relates to Thames Water, whom provide water and sewage services to around 16million households in England.
As bills are due to go up overall in April, it is not clear whether homeowners will be better of or not with the rebate.
Chief executive David Black warned companies that ‘money alone’ would not salvage the growing issue and that future change is required.
‘Companies must implement actions now to improve performance… and not wait till government or regulators ask them to act,’ he told the BBC.
Ofwat is in charge of assessing the performance of the 17 largest water and wastewarer companies in England each year. It monitors targets including sewer flooding, supply interruptions and leaks.
The worst performing companies will be required to collectively rebate £157.6million to customers on their bills for 2025/26.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
Water companies have been ordered to return nearly £158million to customers after falling short of standards, the regulator has said. (File image)
A tanker pumping out excess sewage from the Lightlands Lane sewage pumping station in Cookham, Berkshire, in January
