THERE has been an angry reaction from Anglian Water to the order from water watchdog, Ofwat that customers must pay less in their bills. The water company says this will mean cuts in water and sewerage projects. Jonson Cox, chief executive of Anglian Wate

THERE has been an angry reaction from Anglian Water to the order from water watchdog, Ofwat that customers must pay less in their bills.

The water company says this will mean cuts in water and sewerage projects. Jonson Cox, chief executive of Anglian Water said: "This is a harsh determination from Ofwat. We will now have to make significant cost cuts and we are already recognised in this review as one of the most efficient water companies in the UK.

"Ofwat reduces by over �125million our plan to invest in infrastructure for this fastest growing region of the UK, which we believe will risk undermining housing growth, economic competitiveness, and job opportunities.

Mr Cox said the regulator had rejected a number of important proposals that it had put forward, such as an �80million scheme for water supplies and sewerage services in vulnerable areas. The water company said it could not specify where these areas are.

The regulator has announced that by 2015, Anglian Water customers should pay on average seven per cent less in charges, which will mean that, before taking inflation into account, the average bill would fall from �389 in 2010 to �362 by 2015 - a drop of �27.

Mr Cox said: "Before commenting further, we are going to study the detail contained in Ofwat's 136 page document. We have until 25 January to decide whether to accept this settlement or to appeal to the Competition Commission.