The Reading, England-based company has already been allowed a 35% rise in consumer bills over the next five years by water regulator Ofwat, after Thames had previously lobbied for a 59% hike.

Thames Water said it asked that the U.K.'s water regulator Ofwat to refer its price review decision for the next five years to the country's competition watchdog.

The chart below shows the average water bill increases for consumers across the UK following the Ofwat announcement. If Thames Water cannot agree the emergency funding it needs to stave off insolvency ...