Water Utilities Get Nod to Boost Spending and Hike Bills

Water companies in England and Wales have been given permission to increase spending and raise customer bills, according to a draft decision from regulator Ofwat. The provisional ruling would allow 13 utilities to spend an additional £3.4 billion (about $4.6 billion) by the end of the decade. Ofwat says the money is intended to support upgrades to water and wastewater networks, as providers address aging infrastructure and service demands. The document is a draft, meaning it could change before final approval. The move effectively expands investment capacity while also shifting costs toward bill payers.