Water bills fall by £16 in North West

Water bills across the North West are set to fall in 2010-2011 United Utilities has confirmed today.

Nearly three million customers will be 16 quid better off in their pockets when their water bill drops on the doormat.

The Warrington-based firm - which provides water and sewerage services to seven million people - said average bills will be in the region of £359 when you take into account a 0.03 per cent rise in inflation

Last month the utility giant announced a bumper £3.6 billion five-year investment plan for the North West's water and sewerage infrastructure.

Water boss Philip Green said: "This will be some good news for our customers amid the economic gloom.

"Our massive investment plans are especially good news for the region's economy, jobs and for construction firms," said Mr Green.

"We have a wide range of projects in our future plans, from major pipeline replacements and flood protection schemes, through to improvements to the security and reliability of clean water and wastewater services."

Water bills have now been set for the next five years by the industry's watchdog Ofwat.

In that period (2010-2015) average water bills for North West households are set to reduce by three per cent - or around £9.

Across the region we pour more than 93,000 glasses of water from taps every second - and toilets are flushed the equivalent of 184 million times a day.