As a pensioner, I am painfully aware of the burden of escalating water and sewage expenses. With a frightening surge of 11% in 2024-25, followed by a whopping 20% the next year, Wessex/Bristol Water's current pricing model has become unbearable. To give a stark illustration of the situation we're facing, consider this: The cost of water/sewage alone is now equivalent to one month's pension.

Both Wessex and Bristol Water are, in essence, functioning more like cartels than service companies, with minimal oversight from Ofwat, an organization which seems to lack the power necessary to regulate these major companies.

Based on an Ofwat report (2020), companies have the liberty to set prices as they see fit, subject to the regulator’s approval. However, the consistent steep price increases over the past couple of years raise a serious question about the efficacy of this regulation.

We, the undersigned, call upon the powers that be to intervene in this worsening situation. We demand action to ensure that these companies are held accountable and that their pricing policies reflect a fair, reasonable and affordable charge for their services, specifically focused on protecting those on fixed incomes such as pensioners.

Please, sign this petition to demand a stop to the unfair water rate hikes by Wessex/Bristol Water. Your participation could make the difference and put a stop to these untenable price increases.