HOUSEHOLDS in Taunton Deane and West Somerset can look forward to lower water bills.

Wessex Water is proposing cutting the cost of its services and investing £1.4 billion in tackling leakage, renewing ageing pipes, protecting homes from flooding and improving the environment.

The pledges come in the company's business plan for 2020 to 2025 submitted to water industry regulator Ofwat.

Wessex drew up the plans after 140,000 customers gave their views on bills and services in a public consultation.

Managing director Andy Pymer said: "While parts of the country struggled to cope with the effects of the Beast from the East in March and the prolonged dry weather this summer, our customers continued to have reliable, uninterrupted services due to the millions of pounds invested over the years to protect water supplies.

"We’ve set out how we will continue to safeguard water and sewerage services for customers for many years to come.

"By delivering things in a different way, through innovation, using state-of-the-art technology and working with others, we’re able to make substantial investments while reducing customer bills."

Wessex Water has committed to improving the health of more than 400 miles of rivers, cutting accidental pollutions and aiming to be carbon neutral.

It is also investing to allow for a growing population, ensuring its water and sewerage networks remain resilient during extreme weather and reducing the amount of water abstracted from the environment.

Other highlights include cutting leakage; making beaches cleaner; helping more low income households struggling to pay; improving resilience through environmental partnerships; and a seven days a week service.

Mr Pymer added: "While we've topped the water industry customer service league tables year on year, we realise customer expectation continues to grow, which is why we want to ensure we're one of the best retailers our customers deal with.

"Promoting competition and encouraging new ideas is really important too. So, if others can help us deliver a great service then we'll make sure we work in partnership with them too."

Mr Pymer said success will be shared with customers and savings will be returned through a scheme to support projects in local communities.

He said: "We'll be doing more than ever to support communities through participatory work, such as community education, where we’ll be educating 120,000 children over five years about the importance of water, as well as engaging with students around science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.

"Providing greater opportunities for our customers to contribute to challenges, such as saving water, is something we’re passionate about as everyone has a stake in what is a natural resource."

Ofwat will now scrutinise Wessex Water’s business plan over the coming months.