Water bills in England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £33 per year starting this April. This uptick, amounting to about 5.4% or £2.70 monthly, surpasses the current inflation rate of 3.4%.
Regulator Ofwat had previously greenlit water companies to boost average bills by 36% over a five-year span until 2030. Water UK has justified the hikes as necessary to support a £104 billion investment initiative for infrastructure and to curb sewage overflows. Nonetheless, activists are concerned that the rising costs will add pressure on families already grappling with heightened expenses.
Water UK has announced plans to extend support to an additional 300,000 households by 2026/27 through social tariffs, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to around 2.5 million. These social tariffs offer discounted rates for water and sewerage charges, with an expected average discount of approximately 40%.
David Henderson, Chief Executive of Water UK, emphasized the importance of the bill increases for critical upgrades to ensure water supply security and environmental protection from sewage. Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, highlighted the growing complaints about water bill affordability and the need for transparent spending evidence.
Chris Walters, interim Chief Executive of Ofwat, stated the commitment to hold water companies accountable for performance and spending, noting that unmet commitments would result in refunds to customers. To assist struggling customers, more than 2 million households are now eligible for increased support.
While customers cannot switch water providers, there are ways to save money, such as reducing water usage. Simple measures like shortening shower times and turning off taps when not in use can lead to substantial savings. Additionally, households can explore free water-saving devices offered by organizations like Save Water Save Money and consider installing water meters for potential cost savings.
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