Ofwat Gives UK Watchdog More Time to Review Water Spending Plans

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority will get an additional six months to redetermine price reviews for five water companies, delaying a decision on how much they’ll be allowed to charge customers and return to investors.

The extension means it could take up to a year from now for the country’s watchdog to complete the assessment, according to statements from water regulator Ofwat and the CMA on Tuesday. The final determination governs what water and sewage companies will be able to spend on crumbling infrastructure during the next five years.

UK water firms say they need to increase customer bills ...