Millions of cash-strapped households will find out today if they will be hit with water bill rises of up to 70%

MILLIONS of householders will discover today if they are likely to be hit with colossal water bill rises of up to 70 per cent.

Regulator Ofwat will give its initial verdict on firms’ plans to increase charges to pay for fixing leaks and sewage spills.

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Millions of householders will discover today if they are likely to be hit with colossal water bill rises of up to 70 per cent[/caption]

Under proposals, average annual bills will rise a third to £584.74 by 2030 to meet problems stemming from under-investment.

But Southern Water wants the biggest rise, lifting bills from £420 to £727. Thames wants to raise them from £436 to £627.

Northumbrian’s would go up the least, from £415 to £471.

Environment Minister Steve Reed has announced steps to give customers double compensation when service standards are not met.

He also wants to attract investment to upgrade infrastructure and cut pollution.

Mr Reed said: “We will never look the other way while water companies pump sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

“This unacceptable destruction of our waterways should never have been allowed, but change has now begun so it can never happen again.

“Today I have announced significant steps to clean up the water industry to cut sewage pollution, protect customers and attract investment to upgrade its crumbling infrastructure.”

Today, he’ll tell bosses they are barred from spending infrastructure cash on bonuses, dividends or salary rises.