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| How much will I pay for my water and how can I cut my bill? | |
| (7 days later) | |
| Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of £123 a year from April. | Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of £123 a year from April. |
| The average annual bill will be £603, but there are significant differences between water companies. Households cannot choose their supplier. | The average annual bill will be £603, but there are significant differences between water companies. Households cannot choose their supplier. |
| How can I find my water supplier? | |
| The average bill increase is around £10 a month - from £40 to £50 - but millions of households face even steeper rises. | The average bill increase is around £10 a month - from £40 to £50 - but millions of households face even steeper rises. |
| Southern Water customers will see a 47% increase to £703 a year while Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water bills are rising by 32%. | 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 customers have been warned they will see a 31% hike and Yorkshire Water is raising bills by 29%. | Thames Water customers have been warned they will see a 31% hike and Yorkshire Water is raising bills by 29%. |
| Bournemouth Water customers will see a 32% increase to their bills. | Bournemouth Water customers will see a 32% increase to their bills. |
| Why are water bills going up? | Why are water bills going up? |
| Firms say they need extra money to replace ageing, leaking pipes and to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and seas. | Firms say they need extra money to replace ageing, leaking pipes and to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and seas. |
| 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. |
| There has been a lot of disagreement about price rises between companies and the water regulator Ofwat. | There has been a lot of disagreement about price rises between companies and the water regulator Ofwat. |
| 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. | 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. |
| That means customers will face the biggest rise in the first year of the period, and smaller increases in the subsequent four years. | That means customers will face the biggest rise in the first year of the period, and smaller increases in the subsequent four years. |
| 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. | 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? | 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. | 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. | 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 | |
| There are a number of ways to try to reduce your 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. 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. | 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. |
| Check your bill: Look out for any unexplained increases - you may have a leak. | 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. | 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 | |
| Consumer Council for Water: Tips to cut your water bill | |
| What if I can’t pay my water bill? | What if I can’t pay my water bill? |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The amount of financial support available to those struggling and the qualifying criteria vary by company. | The amount of financial support available to those struggling 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 | |
| Consumer Council for Water: Help with bills | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | |
| 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. |