HOUSEHOLD bills for Devon  and Cornwall residents are set  to  be reduced today as Ofwat limits  the prices firms can charge over  the next five years.

The water industry regulator  said in its draft document that it  wanted South West Water bills  reduced by an average of £12 by  next year and by £30 a year by  2014-15.

The reduction would still leave  customers of the French-owned  company, based at Pynes Hill in  Exeter, with the largest water  and sewerage bills in the country. They averaged £488 in  2009-10 and would average £458  for the year 2014-15.

Since July, when the draft recommendations were published,  companies, customers and other  interested parties have had the  opportunity to present their  views to Ofwat.

The regulator’s chief executive  Regina Finn said: “We understand times are hard and we  have listened to what customers  have told us. They want a safe,  reliable water supply at a reasonable cost.

“People can shop around for  the best deal on many things, but  not water. That’s why we’ve challenged the companies’ plans rigorously to ensure that customers  get the best value for money.

“Our proposals allow the companies to build on the successes  of the past, keep bills stable and  create a better environment.

South West Water chief executive Chris Loughlin said the  company had been recognised  for its hard work in improving  bathing waters, drinking water  and tackling leakage.

 His aim was to improve the  service and make it more efficient over the next five years.

Historically South West Water  bills have been the highest in the  country because the privatisation of the water industry left  consumers paying for infrastructure improvements in their region. The South West’s lengthy  coastline and relatively low population caused costs to soar.

Anna Walker, chief executive  of the Healthcare Commission, is  leading an independent review of  charging and metering for water  and sewerage which is likely to  recommend such costs are  shared nationally.

Teignbridge Liberal Democrat  MP Richard Younger-Ross  welcomed the move but wanted it  introduced  retrospectively, so  consumers in the county do not  end up paying for  improvements  elsewhere while SWW’s multi-million-pound Clean Sweep  programme is largely paid for.

He said: “The  changes do need  to happen but we will be petitioning the Government to ensure there is this retrospective  element, so South West consumers do not lose out again.”