Millions of households in England and Wales will pay higher water bills than previously expected after the regulator approved increases for five companies.
The firms allowed to charge more are Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water and South East Water.
Regulator's decision
Helen Campbell, Executive Director for Delivery at Ofwat, said: "Our 2024 Price Review decisions are already enabling a £104bn programme of investment to produce better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment."
She added: "The Cost Change Process strengthens the ability of companies to deliver without delay. The newly agreed funding will help unlock much-needed new housing development and boost business growth across a range of sectors, as well as improving drinking water quality and the removal of PFAS and forever chemicals."
Campbell also said: "We will track performance to ensure companies are delivering the expected improvements for customers and the environment. If they don't, expenditure can be clawed back."
Tips to cut your water bill
Some households can save money by getting a water meter, which records water usage at your property. Martin Lewis suggests you could save cash if you have more or the same number of bedrooms in your house than people. However, they can lead to higher costs for larger families.
Using less water can make a big difference to your bill without making a big difference to your daily routine. Simple ways of cutting down include reducing your shower time by just one minute and turning off taps when they are not in use.
It is also worth checking for free water-saving devices through Save Water Save Money. It varies depending on where you live, but some freebies include shower heads that regulate the flow of water, or tap inserts.
