Speaking as the country’s 19 water companies submitted their business plans for 2015-2020, Cox emphasised Ofwat’s view that the current economic climate creates an opportunity to cut bills. The majority of business plans submitted today proposed keeping bills rises in line with or below inflation. Ofwat chief executive Cathryn Ross said: “Ofwat’s job is to make sure that customers get a fair deal from water companies. We will now carry out an independent, rigorous process to analyse and challenge companies’ plans to ensure that happens.” In April, Ofwat will announce which companies have achieved fast track status. Final decisions on prices will be made by January 2015, with new bills coming into effect in April 2015.