Water bills look set to rise in 2005

The government is now being called on to identify solutions to tackle affordability for poorer households.

Ms Beckett was speaking as she outlined guidance to the UK industry regulator, to improve drinking water quality.

These include addressing the problem of petrol and other vehicle emissions polluting water.

The government has also advised the Office of Water Services (Ofwat), that water companies should lower the level of lead in their product when prices are set for 2005 to 2010.

Margaret Beckett said: "I am concerned about the effect of water bills, especially on those least able to pay. Changes to our policies on drinking water and the environment cannot avert increases.

"In a climate of rising water bills I have closely scrutinised the need for and benefits of further policies to improve water companies' standards".

Unpolluted water is essential to life. If everybody fully implements the advice, people will be able to see the difference. Dr Andy Brown, chief executive of English Nature

But WaterVoice, the body that represents customers, said rising levels of water customer debt and proposed bill increases are well above the rate of inflation.

The watchdog Ofwat, which sets water prices, has said improvements will have to be paid for but it is too early to say what the outcome will be for customers' bills.

Discretionary

Long term improvement programmes are required by rules, such as tackling old, corroding water mains and upgrading water treatment works.

Water companies also follow guidelines on inland, coastal and bathing waters and dealing with pesticides that farmers use, running off the land into water streams and rivers.

They are being asked to bring more waters up to the standards required for fresh water fish as well as improving wetland Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

But the water companies may have to find other discretionary ways of improving water quality that do not come under regulations issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

BETTER WATER QUALITY Lower the level of lead in drinking water Stop petrol and vehicle emissions polluting water Improve water standards for fresh water fish Control of chemicals entering water streams and rivers

These include bio-diversity, and the issue of 'diffuse pollution', which covers vehicle emissions, will be put to consultation by Defra this April to various interested parties such as the water companies.

The guidelines have been welcomed by English Nature, the body responsible for advising the government on conserving the country's bio-diversity.

Its chief executive Dr Andy Brown has said: "Unpolluted water is essential to life. If everybody fully implements the advice, people will be able to see the difference as they walk alongside a river on a sunny afternoon."