Water bills in the UK 'could increase by 30 per cent'

British water companies have applied to industry regulator Ofwat to request an increase in the price of water rates across the country, it has been revealed.

If the plans go ahead, some British households could end up paying 30 per cent more than the rate of inflation for their water supplies within the next five years.

Last year, the consumer council for water conducted a study into households' trust of their suppliers and found that the plans of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Severn Trent Water and Yorkshire Water came out on top.

"Customers need to see the justification for any proposed price increases and to understand exactly what they will get for the extra money. Price rises should be acceptable to, and affordable for, customers," stated Dame Yve Buckland, chair of the council.

In other water news, scientists in the US claim that they have discovered that the shewanella oneidensis microbe could help to cleans waterways of radioactive metals in the future, reports the Columbus Dispatch.