Households across England and Wales will see their water bills increase by an average of £10 per month starting April, pushing the annual average bill to £603. However, depending on the region, some customers could experience even steeper hikes.
Regional Variations in Water Bill Increases
While the average rise is £123 per year, some regions will see significantly higher increases:
• Southern Water customers will face a 47% increase, bringing annual bills to £703
• Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water customers will see a 32% rise
• Thames Water bills will climb 31%
• Yorkshire Water bills are set to increase 29%
• Bournemouth Water customers will see a 32% rise
Factors such as metered water usage and regional differences in supply costs mean that the impact on individual households will vary.
Why Are Water Bills Increasing?
The price hikes are driven by increased investment in water infrastructure, including new reservoirs and sewage system upgrades. Industry body Water UK confirmed that the increases reflect inflation and rising operational costs faced by suppliers.
David Henderson, Chief Executive of Water UK, stated:
“We understand that higher bills are never welcome, but the urgent need for investment in our water and sewage infrastructure is unavoidable.”
Water companies have pledged £4bn towards social tariffs over the next five years to assist vulnerable customers.
Concerns Over Affordability and Consumer Debt
Despite assurances from water companies, consumer advocacy groups warn that these price hikes could push more households into financial hardship.
• The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) reported that 2.5 million households are already in debt to their water provider.
• Mike Keil, CEO of CCW, cautioned that these increases could exacerbate financial struggles for millions, stating:
“Customers want to see investment in better services, but not at a cost that becomes unbearable.”
This is the largest water bill increase since the industry was privatized 36 years ago, adding further pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living.
Support for Households Struggling to Pay
Ofwat, the industry regulator, has urged water companies to enhance financial support for those unable to meet rising costs.
David Black, Chief Executive of Ofwat, emphasized that:
“We have pushed companies to double the amount of customer support over the next five years and encourage those struggling to reach out to their provider.”
Households facing financial difficulty can explore debt support programs, payment breaks, or hardship funds provided by their water company.
