To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average domestic water bill (including sewerage) in England was in each year since 1996-97. (104075)

Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. In December 2004, it set price limits for the period 2005-10.

The following table sets out the average household water and sewerage bill for all household customers, both metered and unmetered, in England and Wales since 1996-97 (in today's prices). As some water companies' boundaries include customers in both England and Wales average bills tabulated have been provided for both countries.

Individual bills can be more or less than the average. More information can be found in Ofwat's “Water and sewerage charges 2006-07 report” which is available on their website at:

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/tariff_report06.pdf/$FILE/tariff_report06.pdf.