Water bill price cuts add to flooding fears
Householder across Lincolnshire could face flooding and sewage problems in the future thanks to plans to reduce average water bills by around £3 per year.
That's the prognosis offered by Anglian Water, who say regulator Ofwat's decision last week will prevent them from spending more than £200 million on infrastructure improvements.
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ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE: Kevin and Sarah Wingham, who live in Walcott near Billinghay, had their garden flooded with sewage after rain. They are now worried reductions in water bill prices could mean more misery. Pictured is Mr Wingham washing away the sewage. Picture: Anna Draper
A spokesman for the company, Anne-Marie Hamill, said it was too early to comment on which areas of Lincolnshire might lose out.
But chief executive Jonson Cox said: "This is a harsh determination from Ofwat and no-one should be under any illusion that we will now have to make significant cost cuts and efficiency improvements to meet the tough financial targets we have been given."
He went on to say that in response to customer feedback the firm had put forward a business plan they thought "struck the right balance between keeping bills down, being able to invest in essential infrastructure and in securing water supplies against the impacts of climate change".
"We remain concerned that Ofwat has rejected a number of important proposals we put forward," said Mr Cox.
"In particular the cut of more than £80million we had earmarked for securing water supplies and sewerage services in vulnerable areas and further prevention of internal sewer flooding.
"Ofwat also reduces by more than £125m our plan to invest in infrastructure for this fastest growing region of the UK, which we believe will risk undermining housing growth, economic competitiveness and job opportunities."
But for residents already seeing the effects of an aging water network the news could come as a blow.
Walcott mother Sarah Wingham has seen her family of four suffer years of sewage flooding outside their home.
And while their problems seem finally to be moving towards a resolution she said there must be numerous others who need the water company to invest in the local infrastructure.
"We can't be the only village," she said. "It might not be flooding with sewage, but many people will not be able to live their lives as normal when it rains."
Comments
by rick, LIncoln
Monday, November 30 2009, 9:42AM
“anglian water are con artists, when i first moved into my one bedroom flat i was getting charged nearly £400 for my water bill even though when i moved in i was asked all the questions like how many baths i have a week etc etc.
£400 is nearly the same as my mums who has a 2 bedroom house with outside tape and garden. and they refuse to give me a refund because they say its my fault. they should of used there heads that someone in a one bedroom flat isnt going to be using £400 worth of water.”