THE increase in water bills proposed by United Utilities is unacceptable to the majority of the customers in the North West and, for some, would be simply unaffordable, according to WaterVoice North West.
The organisation represents water customers and was responding formally to the company's draft business plan, submitted to Ofwat as part of the process to set new water and sewerage price limits.
United Utilities' plan indicates that bills would need to increase by 70 per cent plus inflation, over five-years to fund a £3.8 billion programme of work.
Maurice Terry, WaterVoice North West Chairman, said: "In its current form the plan is simply untenable.
"The prices proposed could have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable members of our society, on the region's business community and on the general financial health of the region."
WaterVoice North West is calling on the Government to take account of customers' ability to pay when they advise Ofwat on the scale and pace of environmental and drinking water quality improvements required.
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