Veolia Water UK's regulated water companies have each announced their 2010 water-only household bill charges, which are as follows:

• Veolia Water Central (formerly Three Valleys Water) - average bills will increase by less than £1 annually from £155 to £156
• Veolia Water Southeast (formerly Folkestone and Dover Water Services) - will increase its bills marginally - average metered bills will be £170 a year and the average unmetered bill will be £227 a year
• Veolia Water East (formerly Tendring Hundred Water Services) - average bills will drop by £2 - from £167 to £165.

Together, the three companies will continue to invest nearly £415 million in improving services for their 3.5 million customers across the Southeast between 2010 and 2015.

Frédéric Devos, CEO of Veolia Water UK said:

"In its recent final determination, Ofwat challenged all our companies to be more efficient and reduce customer bills, while maintaining the high standards of service all our customers have come to expect.

"We understand that customers should not be paying more than is absolutely necessary in these difficult economic times. We believe that together we can take the steps necessary to deliver all the service improvements required within the price guidelines set."

Notes to Editors

1. Contact Michelle Edgar, Veolia Water UK Communications Executive, on Tel: 01707 277110; email: news@veoliawater.co.uk for further enquiries.
2. All prices quoted are charges for water services only. Sewerage charges are levied by Anglian Water or Thames Water for Veolia Water Central customers; by Southern Water for the Veolia Water Southeast supply area and by Anglian Water for Veolia Water East.

About us

Veolia Water UK is the parent company for several water companies and commercial businesses, supplying more than 3.5 million customers and employing 2,000 staff. We are part of Veolia Water, the world leader in water and wastewater services.

To find out more about all the companies within Veolia Water UK visit our website at: www.veoliawater.co.uk