End water bill confusion - MP

Mr Baker wants companies to spell out exactly what they are charging for, by heading the appropriate page in bold type with 'Sewage Bill Only', for example.

He has written to OFWAT on behalf of a constituent who moved from Brighton, where he paid Southern Water for his sewage and water services in one bill.

The constituent was baffled when he continued receiving a bill from Southern Water, this time just for sewage. In addition, he received a separate water bill from South East Water, which arrived months later.

One bill in Brighton had become two in Lewes.

Mr Baker told OFWAT that his constituent was unaware of the split until the second bill arrived. He added: 'My constituent's finances were thrown into confusion when he received two bills from two different water companies, months apart.

'OFWAT must ensure that all water companies make clear on their bills what services they are charging for to avoid this confusion.'

Philip Fletcher, Director-General of OFWAT, agreed that bills needed to be clear and easy to pay. Unclear billing information would mark down a water company's performance rating.