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Last Updated: Saturday, 23 February 2008, 15:48 GMT
Water rebate follows firm merger
Water tap
The average South East Water bill for 2008/9 will be £161
Residents in the South East are to get a one-off water bill rebate following the merger of two suppliers.

South East Water said its 2.1 million customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire would each get 2% off their next bill, due in April.

The £4m rebate was agreed with the Competition Commission following the merger of South East Water and Mid Kent water last December.

The new firm said during 2008/2009 it would also invest £80m in services.

South East Water has pledged to spend £9m on refurbishing water treatment works and £3.5m on the installation of water meters.

Paul Butler, managing director at South East Water, said: "The merger is allowing us to deliver a number of addition benefits.

"Crucially, it has also given our customers a clear financial benefit with a rebate in this year's bills. That means our average domestic bill equates to less than 50p a day."

SEE ALSO
Change ahead as water firms merge
05 Dec 07 |  England
Water main bursts for second time
17 Oct 07 |  Kent

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