Water Bills Fall by 16 Quid in North West

WARRINGTON, England, February 23, 2010 - Water bills across the North West are set to fall in 2010-2011 United
Utilities has confirmed today.

Nearly three million customers will be 16 quid better off in their
pockets when their water bill drops on the doormat.

The Warrington-based firm - which provides water and sewerage services to
seven million people - said average bills will be in the region of GBP359
when you take into account a 0.03 per cent rise in inflation

Last month the utility giant announced a bumper GBP3.6 billion five-year
investment plan for the North West's water and sewerage infrastructure.

Water boss Philip Green said: "This will be some good news for our
customers amid the economic gloom.

"Our massive investment plans are especially good news for the region's
economy, jobs and for construction firms," said Mr Green.

"We have a wide range of projects in our future plans, from major
pipeline replacements and flood protection schemes, through to improvements
to the security and reliability of clean water and wastewater services."

Water bills have now been set for the next five years by the industry's
watchdog Ofwat.

In that period (2010-2015) average water bills for North West households
are set to reduce by three per cent - or around GBP9.

Across the region we pour more than 93,000 glasses of water from taps
every second - and toilets are flushed the equivalent of 184 million times a
day.

Notes to editors:

* The average household bill is, by definition, an average across all
customers

* Individual customers' bill may be more or less than the average because
of their particular usage - for example whether they have a water meter

* For the period 2010-2011 bills will decrease by 4.3 per cent - or
around GBP16 - resulting in an average bill of GBP359. This takes into
account a 0.03 per cent rise in inflation

* For 2010-2015 average water and sewerage bills will be reduced by three
per cent - or around GBP9. This is before inflation is considered

Contact: Shaun Robinson, +44(0)1925-237088