The rise is two percentage points above inflation, but there is significant regional variation in the increases, with some areas warned they will see bills increase by up to 13 per cent. South East Water customers will also see an above-average rise, with bills going up by an average of 7% to £324. South East Water customers collect bottled water at a water station in East Grinstead amid a shortage earlier this month (Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA)Water UK said the cash raised from water bills could only be used to fund infrastructure that had been independently determined to be “new, necessary and value for money”. Rob Abrams, campaign manager at Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Nearly a third of our water bills are swallowed up servicing the water company debt pile and shelling out dividends whilst we get sick from sewage. “While we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult.