 Customers are "dismayed" at the 40% bill hike |
United Utilities' plan to increase water bills by 40% is being challenged by the regional water watchdog. Chiefs at WaterVoice North West, which has slammed the proposals, were meeting water bosses in Manchester on Thursday to discuss the plan.
The utility company announced its five-year plan from 2005 to 2010 last month. The average bill is set to rise by �100.
WaterVoice fears the rises will hit poorest customers the hardest.
United Utilities said out of its investment programme of more than �3bn, a third was going to meet government-required environmental improvements.
Ahead of WaterVoice's meeting with the company at 1330 BST, the watchdog group's chairman, Maurice Terry, said customers were "dismayed" by the proposals.
Customers have already seen bills go up by an average 12% this year.
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