A study from infrastructure manufacturer Talis UK surveyed 1,000 UK households and found a notable division between those who the water sector to operate like other utilities, with a wider choice and more transparency when it comes to bills (40 per cent) and those who either don’t know (27 per cent) or don’t want water companies to become more like energy companies (29 per cent).
Although the majority believe that there should be a change, an even greater majority believe that the change could be used as an excuse to raise prices (71 per cent), while others think it will result in confusing tariffs (65 per cent) or a poorer service (60 per cent).
Despite rising prices being a key concern for the future, the survey found that on average people would be willing to pay their water supplier almost 30 per cent more per year and still believe that they are receiving “reasonable value” for their money.
The survey found that on average consumers are willing to pay £1.28 per day to a water supplier, and would consider this good value despite the current national average being £1.
The study was split between 23 per cent of consumers who said they struggled to pay their water bills, and 26 per cent who said they would be willing to pay double their current rate, the study found.
“For the public to play an active and informed role in the decisions to come, more needs to be done to build awareness of the choices and implications,” said Talis UK managing director Mark Hodgens.