As household costs continue to rise, water bills are no exception. The average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales is due to increase by 3.5percent, which equates to about 13. This takes into account a rate of inflation of 3percent and will mean an average bill of 388 in 2013 and14. Ofwat made a decision in 2009 on how much water and sewerage companies could charge consumers between 2010 and 2015. This has resulted in average bills remaining broadly in line with inflation. Bills are generally 10percent cent lower than what the individual companies wanted to charge. Ofwat Chief Executive Officer Regina Finn said Customers cant choose their supplier. Its our job to make sure they are protected. Back in 2009, companies wanted bills rises of 10 per cent above inflation. That didnt chime with what customers told us they wanted, so we said they could only increase bills in line with inflation. We understand that there is huge pressure on household incomes and any rise is unwelcome. Inflation is driving these increases. These rises will help pay for investment of around 1000 for every household in England and Wales. This will deliver real benefits - from continuing to improve the reliability of supplies to dealing with the misery of sewer flooding for thousands of customers. We will make sure customers get value for money and, if companies fall short in delivering their investment promises, we will take action. In the past seven years, we have made companies pay out around 550 million where they have underperformed. The bill changes will come into effect on 1 April 2013 and apply until 31 March 2014. The impact of the new charges will vary for individual householders depending on the company that supplies their home and whether they have a water meter. Some changes to water usage to cut bills are easy having showers instead of baths and using the short flush instead of the full flush when using the toilet. One of the most overlooked areas of water use is in the kitchen, and the area after showers and toilets you can make the most difference with discretionary water use. Check for drips too, a dripping tap can waste the same water in a week as a washing machine uses in one wash or around 100 a year. Start economising by fitting a perlator to the nozzle to give a champagne flow saving water. If your tap is older, heavily used or dripping, update to WRAS approved tap with ceramic Valves which will save water plus improve and add value to your kitchen.