DORSET’S water firms have announced plans to cut customers’ bills over the next five years.

Wessex Water says its bills will fall in real terms from next year, with the average household bill in 2019-20 being £454, compared with the current average of £479. Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW) said it will freeze prices until April 2015, then cut bills for the next 12 months, with below inflation increases in subsequent years up to 2020.

Both companies have promised to continue investing in infrastructure improvements, with Wessex Water promising £1.2billion to improve water and sewerage services.

SBW managing director Roger Harrington said: “We’ve listened to a lot of customers over the last two years, and taken on board their feedback to help us review and update our plans for the future.

“By cutting bills and improving the service we will be doing more for less, 11 per cent less.”