LONDON (Reuters) -British utility Thames Water lodged an appeal to the country's competition regulator on Friday, beginning a process to try to raise the prices it can charge customers for the next five years and improve its chances of survival.

Troubled Thames Water has appealed against an inflation-busting price rise agreed by regulator Ofwat, arguing it was doing so “in the interests of our customers and the environment"

Thames Water is seeking further hikes to customer charges despite facing criticism for substantial bill increases and executive bonuses amidst a backdrop of environmental failings. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Struggling British utility Thames Water launched an appeal with the country's competition regulator on Friday, kicking off a process to try to lift the prices it can charge customers for the next five years and improve its chances of survival.

Thames Water has launched an appeal to the competition regulator as the embattled utility fights to secure an eye-watering 53 per cent rise in consumer bills and keep itself afloat.

Watford's sewerage service provider Thames Water is asking the competition regulator to allow it to charge customers even more.