02 February 2024 , 08:59
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Water bills in England and Wales will rise by 6% on average from this April, in another cost of living blow for households.
The average household will see their yearly bill increase from £445 to £473, a rise of £27. Hafren Dyfrdwy customers will see the biggest percentage change, with the typical bill rising by 20% from £362 to £433 - an increase of £71.
Wessex Water and Anglian Water households will be hit with the biggest average bills, with their costs set to increase to £548 and £529 respectively. Northumbrian customers will see the lowest average bills of £422.
In Scotland, water bills will increase by an average of £35.95 a year, or 8.8%, from April. Water UK said companies will be investing a record £14.4billion in the next financial year, but the increase in bills comes amid public fury about sewage overflows into waters.
Water UK chief executive David Henderson said: “Next year will see record levels of investment from water companies to secure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage in rivers and seas. Up and down the country customers will see the results of this investment with more than 2,000 kilometres of pipes being repaired or replaced and more capacity to treat sewage than ever before.
Water bills to rise by up to £47 a year from April - how to cut your costs
“At the same time support for customers is doubling with more than two million families now being with helped with their bills. Anyone with worries should contact their water company and, it is worth remembering, water companies will never cut anyone off or make them use a prepayment meter.”
Ofwat chief executive David Black said: “While water bills will vary depending on the circumstances of each household, the average increase forecasted for 2024/25 will be £27.40, equivalent to about £2.30 a month. We are very aware, for those who are already struggling, this will be a real worry.
“As such, water companies must do all they can to protect those who are most in need of a helping hand. We would encourage anyone who is worrying about how to pay a water bill to contact their water company and find out what schemes are on offer that could reduce bills, smooth payments or help with debt.”
Consumer Council for Water (CCW) chief executive Mike Keil said: “Almost a fifth of households say they struggle to pay their water bill and these rises will heap even greater pressure on low-income customers. If water companies are serious about rebuilding trust in the sector they should use some of their profits to help people who cannot afford another bill rise.
“The water industry made a commitment five years ago to end water poverty in England and Wales and it needs to keep that promise. Crisis-hit households need immediate relief and the long-term security of knowing they can afford something as essential as water, without having to make painful sacrifices.”
Water and sewage firms
- Anglian - £489 rising to £529 (up £40, or 8%)
- Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water - £512 falling to £492 (down £20, or -4%)
- Hafren Dyfrdwy - £362 rising to £433 (up £71, or 20%)
- Northumbrian - £387 rising to £422 (up £35, or 9%)
- Severn Trent - £411 rising to £438 (up £27, or 7%)
- South West - £488 falling to £486 (down £2, or 0%)
- Southern - £428 rising to £479 (up £51, or 12%)
- Thames - £456 rising to £471 (up £15, or 3%)
- United Utilities - £446 rising to £481 (up £35, or 8%)
- Wessex - £489 rising to £548 (up £59, or 12%)
- Yorkshire - £440 rising to £467 (up £27, or 6%)
Water-only firms
- Affinity (central region) - £183 rising to £194 (up £11, or 6%)
- Affinity (east region) - £219 rising to £241 (up £22, or 10%)
- Affinity (southeast region) - £248 rising to £269 (up £21, or 8%)
- Bournemouth - £143 rising to £146 (up £3, or 2%)
- Bristol - £215 rising to £222 (up £7, or 3%)
- Cambridge - £161 rising to £163 (up £2, or 1%)
- Essex and Suffolk - £256 rising to £280 (up £24, or 9%)
- Portsmouth - £118 rising to £120 (up £2, or 2%)
- SES Water - £217 rising to £242 (up £25, or 12%)
- South East - £240 rising to £245 (up £5, or 2%)
- South Staffs - £173 rising to £178 (up £5, or 3%)