Ofwat has provisionally approved 13 water companies in England and Wales to raise customer bills by an additional £3.4 billion to fund infrastructure improvements and address environmental concerns. Nearly one-third of this funding is designated for maintaining water services, while the remainder will support rising demand from housing and data centers, as well as tackling pollutants known as 'forever chemicals.'
The decision follows a public consultation period, with final approval expected in December. Critics, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, have expressed concern over the financial burden on families already facing cost-of-living challenges, emphasizing the need for accountability from water companies regarding their spending and performance.