Millions of customers will see their annual water bills drop by £34 after the competition watchdog rowed back on how much it will allow investors in suppliers to make in returns. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced its final decision on price controls for Anglian, Bristol, Northumbrian and Yorkshire water firms after a tense dispute between the companies and the regulator. The CMA had been under fire from consumer groups last autumn for over-ruling the water regulator Ofwat, saying it had been too strict on how much water companies could invest in resilience and reducing water leaks, and instead deciding to put more money in the pockets of shareholders.