HOUSEHOLDERS in Worcestershire have the lowest average water and sewerage bills in the UK, according to the end of year results of utilities giant Severn Trent Water.

The company says it has "put a real focus on the service it provides to customers", resulting in a report that shows increased levels of customer service, continued major investment and the lowest average water and sewerage bills in the country.

Sarah Bentley, director at Severn Trent Water, said: “We’ve delivered on our commitments to our customers, driving great service and environmental improvements, and making sure we’re putting them at the heart of everything we do. We’ve created 100 new front line roles and worked hard to resolve customer issues faster. We’ve given our staff the tools to able to communicate more with our customers, and we’ve widened our range of social tariffs available to help get customers who can’t pay their bill back on track.

“In addition, we’ve invested more than £547m this year – that’s just under £1.5 million a day - and as a result, fewer customers than ever are at risk of sewer flooding, water supply interruptions are down and serious pollution incidents remain low. We’ve also reduced leakage by 10 per cent over the last five years and it’s currently at its lowest ever level. Alongside all of this, our customers have enjoyed the lowest average combined water and sewerage bills for the last six years. And it’ll stay that way right the way through to 2020. Our ability to achieve all of this and, at the same time, ensure a good return for those who invest their money in our business, is down to the improvements we have made over recent years, and the hard work and dedication of our people.”

Back in February, Severn Trent confirmed its average combined bill for 2015/16 will be £329, compared to an industry average of £397. The company has also pledged to spend £6.2b over the next five years to further improve services, including fixing leaks quicker, reducing sewer flooding and improving the quality of rivers and the environment.