The industry body’s annual publication of charges reveals that an average water bill would fall from £394 to £385 annually, starting this April.

In individual company terms, Southern customers will experience a 6 per cent (£27) reduction in their combined water and sewerage bill to £410 over the next financial year. Severn Trent and United Utilities will both fall 1 per cent (£4) and Anglian Water bills will fall 7 per cent (£29).

However, the publication notes that the bills received by individual consumers will vary, depending on their circumstances; it’s even possible bills will rise for some. Northumbrian Water customers will see combined bills rise by 1 per cent (£4); Thames Water sewerage customers are also certain to face increases, as waste water charges are to rise by an average of £12.

Increased revenues will be used by Thames to fund the development of the controversial super sewer, the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Construction is scheduled to start next year on the project, which will cost a projected £4.2bn; eventually, up to £80 could be added to Thames waste water bills. Some customers who receive their water and waste water services from different companies could see their overall bill rise as a result, despite the apparent reduction in their water charges.

The reductions were welcomed by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater). “This is good news for most households and reflects how the water industry has listened to what customers want on price and service,” said Tony Smith, chief executive of CCWater.

Further good news came in the form of a pledge by Water UK to set aside £40m to support customers having difficulty paying their bills. It said that 14 of the 18 companies will have so-called “social tariffs” in place by April, providing reduced bills for poorer customers. “Water companies understand the pressures their customers are under and are delivering lower bills and even more support for struggling households,” Pamela Taylor, the chief executive of Water UK, said.

Smith responded that “much more still needs to be done to ensure customers who are struggling or unable to pay their bill get the help they need. That’s why we are working with water companies to ensure they raise awareness of the assistance schemes they can offer customers who urgently need support.”