WATER privatisers are treating the system as an ATM, campaigners said today as South East Water (SEW) confirmed bills will rise to an average of £324 a year from April. The increase comes as the company faces an Ofwat investigation after thousands of homes and businesses were left without water in recent weeks. We Own It lead campaigner Sophie Conquest said: “The recent increase in bills is yet more evidence that shareholders are simply treating our water system as an ATM. “This government promised to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, yet more people than ever will be unable to afford their water bills. “By bringing water into public ownership, we can stop shareholders from taking money out of billpayers’ pockets, and bring the cost of water down.”