Water bills to rise further for millions after appeal

The article reports that five water companies in the UK have been granted permission to raise water bills for millions of customers. The companies, which include Thames Water, Southern Water, and Anglian Water, argued that they need additional funds to upgrade and maintain their aging infrastructure. The decision by the industry regulator, Ofwat, means that customers can expect to see further increases in their water bills in the coming years. The exact amount of the increases will vary by region and company, but the industry has warned that significant investments are needed to ensure the reliability and resilience of the water supply. The article notes that the decision has faced criticism from consumer groups, who argue that customers should not be shouldering the burden of the companies' infrastructure challenges. However, the water companies maintain that the higher bills are necessary to address long-standing issues and ensure the delivery of safe and reliable water services.