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Why are water bills rising and what can I do? How much will I have to pay for my water?
(30 days later)
Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of £86 in the year from April 2025, industry regulator Ofwat has said. Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of £123 a year from April.
The increase, which varies according to where customers live, is to help water companies pay for problems including sewage leaks. The average annual bill will be £603, but there are significant differences between water companies. Households cannot choose their supplier.
How much will I pay for my water in England and Wales?
Average water bills will rise by 36% between 2025 and 2030.
The increases will average out to £31 per year, but Ofwat said firms are expected to introduce higher increases in the first year.
Individual water companies decide how much to charge customers, although Ofwat sets limits.
Most people in England and Wales get their water from one of 17 companies and have their waste water taken away by one of 11 firms.
Households cannot choose a supplier - it is down to where you live.
How can I find my water supplier?, externalHow can I find my water supplier?, external
Price rises vary between regions. Southern Water customers will be hit by the biggest increase, with bills going up 53% - to £642 on average - by 2030. The average bill increase is around £10 a month - from £40 to £50 - but millions of households face even steeper rises.
Wessex and Northumbrian Water bills will go up by the smallest amount - 21%. Southern Water customers will see a 47% increase to £703 a year while Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water bills are rising by 32%.
Thames Water, which is struggling financially, will be able to charge customers 35% more, with bills going up to £588. Thames Water customers have been warned they will see a 31% hike and Yorkshire Water is raising bills by 29%.
Every five years Ofwat sets out the levels of service which customers can expect and how much it will cost to keep firms running efficiently. Bournemouth Water customers will see a 32% increase to their bills.
Ofwat's announcement - or "final determination" - for water bills between April 2025 and 2030 has been calculated without inflation, meaning actual bills are likely to be higher.
Why are water bills going up?Why are water bills going up?
In July, Ofwat had suggested raising bills by an average of 21%, but the water industry insisted this was not enough to tackle the range of problems water companies face. Firms say they need extra money to replace ageing, leaking pipes and to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and seas.
Firms said they needed extra money to replace ageing, leaking pipes and to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and seas.
Water UK, which represents water firms, said the 36% increase would provide "much-needed" investment for the sector.
However, companies are also facing increasing scrutiny and public anger over their environmental and financial performance, as well as executive bonuses and pay.However, companies are also facing increasing scrutiny and public anger over their environmental and financial performance, as well as executive bonuses and pay.
How are water bills calculated in England and Wales? There has been a lot of disagreement about price rises between companies and the water regulator Ofwat.
Households in England and Wales are typically billed for water in one of two ways: In December, Ofwat said companies could raise bills by an average of £31 a year over the next five years, with those increases to be front-loaded.
Unmetered customers pay a set amount for their water and sewage services, regardless of how much water they use. This is usually based on the rateable value of their home - an approximate annual rental value of a property That means customers will face the biggest rise in the first year of the period, and smaller increases in the subsequent four years.
Metered customers only pay for what they use, plus usually a standing charge. They have readings from their water meters collected by the water company Water companies say that will start in April with a £123 average rise on an annual bill - partly to take account of inflation, which was not included in Ofwat's December calculation.
How can I save money on my water bill?
Some households in England and Wales have a water meter, so only pay for the amount they use, plus a standing charge.
Unmetered customers pay a set amount regardless of how much water they use. This is usually based on the rateable value of their home - an approximate annual rental value for the property.
All households also pay for sewerage services, either as part of their water bill or separately if their water company doesn’t deliver wastewater services.All households also pay for sewerage services, either as part of their water bill or separately if their water company doesn’t deliver wastewater services.
Ofwat: Your water bill, externalOfwat: Your water bill, external
How can I save money on my water bill? There are a number of ways to try to reduce your water bill:
Use less water: Many water companies offer customers free water-saving devices. Look out for unexplained increases in your bills - it may mean you have a leak. Use less water: Many water companies offer customers free water-saving devices. Take showers instead of baths and use a timer. Only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads. Don't overfill your kettle. If you water your garden, install a water butt to capture rainwater.
Get a water meter: Meters can reduce bills for some. Every household can apply to have one installed. If a meter is not suitable, the water company must offer something called an “assessed charge” which may also save you money. Check your bill: Look out for any unexplained increases - you may have a leak.
Get a water meter: Meters can reduce bills for some. Every household can apply to have one installed. If a meter is not suitable, your water company must offer something called an “assessed charge” which may also save you money.
Move to a social tariff: Every water company offers a scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income but the each firm's rules are different.Move to a social tariff: Every water company offers a scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income but the each firm's rules are different.
Sewage service rebates: Households may be able to get a rebate for certain sewage services if they can prove they do not use them.Sewage service rebates: Households may be able to get a rebate for certain sewage services if they can prove they do not use them.
Energy Saving Trust: Simple ways to save water, external
Consumer Council for Water: Tips to cut your water bill, external
What if I can’t pay my water bill?What if I can’t pay my water bill?
Before the price rise was announced, the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) surveyed 9,500 households across 19 water company areas, and found: Water companies say they will also set aside more than £4bn to fund social tariffs - the discounted bills for vulnerable people - over the next five years.
18% were already struggling to pay their bills But the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents billpayers, said support did not go far enough, as about 2.5 million households were already in debt to their water company.
40% would find it difficult to pay more The amount of financial support available to those struggling and the qualifying criteria vary by company.
CCW chief executive Mike Keil warned significant price increases would put an "intolerable strain" on the finances of millions.
Water UK said companies wanted to provide more support to customers, but needed greater investment to allow them to improve services.
Record numbers sought help with their bills in 2023-2024, according to figures seen by the BBC.
The amount of financial support available and the qualifying criteria vary by company.
The CCW wants all firms to have a single scheme so that everyone gets the same help wherever they live.The CCW wants all firms to have a single scheme so that everyone gets the same help wherever they live.
Ofwat: Customer assistance, externalOfwat: Customer assistance, external
Consumer Council for Water: Help with bills, externalConsumer Council for Water: Help with bills, external
How much have water companies been fined for poor performance?How much have water companies been fined for poor performance?
As part of its price review, Ofwat sets performance targets to encourage water companies to meet their commitments to customers and the environment.As part of its price review, Ofwat sets performance targets to encourage water companies to meet their commitments to customers and the environment.
They are expected to reduce leakage, pollution incidents and sewer flooding.They are expected to reduce leakage, pollution incidents and sewer flooding.
If a company beats its targets it may get a financial reward. If it does not meet them, it may face a penalty.If a company beats its targets it may get a financial reward. If it does not meet them, it may face a penalty.
The companies reflect these costs in annual adjustments to customer bills.The companies reflect these costs in annual adjustments to customer bills.
In 2024-25 water companies will have to repay £114m.In 2024-25 water companies will have to repay £114m.
How much are water bills in Scotland and Northern Ireland?How much are water bills in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
A small number of Scottish households have water meters. However, most pay for water and sewerage services as part of their council tax, with charges linked to their council tax band. A small number of Scottish households have water meters.
However, most pay for water and sewerage services as part of their council tax, with the amount linked to their property's council tax band.
Average bills will rise by £35.95 in 2024/25, according to Scottish Water., externalAverage bills will rise by £35.95 in 2024/25, according to Scottish Water., external
Someone living in a council tax band C property will pay on average £485.68 for water and sewerage services.Someone living in a council tax band C property will pay on average £485.68 for water and sewerage services.
Households in Northern Ireland are not billed for water.Households in Northern Ireland are not billed for water.
Get in touchGet in touch
How are you affected by rising bills?How are you affected by rising bills?