Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat has announced.The increase is significantly higher than the expected average rise of around £20 a year per household, outlined in the regulator's draft proposals in July.Ofwat said the increase would pay for a £104 billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver "substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment".

Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat has announced.The increase is significantly higher than the expected average rise of around £20 a year per household, outlined in the regulator's draft proposals in July.Ofwat said the increase would pay for a £104 billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver "substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment".