"Pure greed": readers react to United Utilities' hike in water bills

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

M.E.N readers have reacted furiously to the news that United Utilities is to increase water bills in the North West by 32% over the next five years.

The company say the increases will raise £13 billion, paying for improvements to their infrastructure to reduce pollution incidents, help improve water quality and reduce storm overflow spills by 60%.

CEO Louise Beardmore said it was "the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in over 100 years". But the increases, announced this morning (January 29), come at a time when many are already unhappy with the company.

It has come in for considerable criticism in recent years following a number of sewage spills, including into Windermere. And the change means that the typical billpayer will see their payments rise by an average of £86 from April onwards.