Six UK water companies lodge appeals against regulator's pricing regime

(Reuters) - British water regulator Ofwat said on Tuesday six water utilities have appealed its pricing regime, highlighting the tension in a sector that is trying to find the right balance between consumer bills and the environment.

The six companies who have appealed are Thames Water, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Southern Water, South East Water and Wessex Water.

The appeal process with UK's competition regulator is set to take a minimum of six months, Ofwat said.

Ofwat had said in December it would allow bills to rise by an average of 36% over the next five years, compared to the average 44% requested by companies.

Listed water utilities United Utilities, Pennon and Severn Trent did not appeal the Ofwat determination.

The country's water sector has been criticised for polluting rivers and for prioritising profits and dividends over the environment and maintenance of infrastructure.

(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong and Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)