Water

Cambridge Water’s average water bill will go up by £6.50 this year - to £127.

The company said, despite the increase, their rates remains the second lowest water charges in the country.

Managing director, Stephen Kay, said: “It is always regrettable when we have to increase prices at all but this year, despite the tough economic climate, the average bill will increase by just £6.50.

“This means our customers will continue to receive high quality water for less than 35p a day. When you consider the average household uses around 400 litres of water each day for bathing, washing clothes, cleaning, drinking and garden watering – this represents exceptional value for money.”

Cambridge Water, which covers an area of 453 square miles taking in much of Cambridgeshire, supplies drinking water to a population of 317,000.

Mr Kay said the company had invested £300,000 to secure extra water supplies for the summer and £750,000 to find and fix more leaks and had renewed 12 km of watermains.

And the first of its £7 million project to build up to five nitrate water treatment plants will start operating later this year.

Nitrates occur naturally in fruits and vegetables, but levels in groundwater have risen over the last half century as agricultural methods have changed. The treatment plants will ensure the very low levels permitted in drinking water are maintained.

Mr Kay urged households to installing meters to keep track of consumption, so water is not wasted. Meters also mean lower bills.

BLOB

Cambridge Water is giving away free water efficiency devices to help metered customers save up to £100 a year on their water and heating bills. Unmetered customers can also save money because the equipment will help reduce the amount of hot water used.

For further details visit www.cambridge-water.co.uk