WATER bills are set to rise 13 per cent by 2010.

The increase was announced by water watchdog, Ofwat, who published the draft price limits for United Utilities Water for the next five years.

If the proposals are accepted in December, water bills will increase by 3.5 per cent each year. By 2010, the average water bill will have risen by more than £30, from £249 to £282 (without inflation).

The watchdog claims the increase is to support a £2.4 billion investment programme in the north west to maintain the delivery of efficient services while improving the quality of drinking water and the region's rivers and sewers.

Director general of Water Services, Philip Fletcher, said: "I believe these proposals are fair to customers and would benefit the environment. We have worked hard to protect customers from unnecessary bill increases and ensure that water companies continue to offer value for money."

But the plans were criticised by the Environment Agency who claimed they will do little to improve the region's environment.

Clive Gaskell, the agency's strategic environmental planning manager for the north west, said: "The environment represents less than a third of United Utilities' spending plans in its current programme.

"We are now facing a situation where the region's waters will not come up to European standards."

Maurice Terry, from consumer group WaterVoice, said: "We will examine Ofwat's decisions very closely to check the implications for customer service and their priorities, such as a secure water supply, maintaining drinking water quality and the collection and treatment of sewage."