拢4m to cap Welsh Water bills for struggling households

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An extra 拢4m has been pledged to cap water bills for households with a total annual income of 拢15,000 or less.

From April 2017, householders who apply and are accepted on Welsh Water's will have bills capped at 拢190 per year.

It follows a consultation on how the company's surplus should be used.

The not-for-profit firm said it helps about 63,000 customers struggling with water bills, and plans to increase this to 100,000 or more by 2020.

It comes on top of 拢340m going on capital projects this financial year and a 拢32m investment announced in June 2016 as a result of the company's not-for-profit ownership structure.

Welsh Water said the average household bill for 2017-18 will be 拢439, compared to 拢437 in 2016-2017.

Chief executive Chris Jones said: "Supporting our most vulnerable customers - along with pursuing those who could pay, but do not - benefits all our customers."