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| Why are water bills rising and what can I do? | Why are water bills rising and what can I do? |
| (32 minutes 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. | |
| The increase, which varies according to where customers live, is to help water companies pay for problems including sewage leaks. | The increase, which varies according to where customers live, is to help water companies pay for problems including sewage leaks. |
| How much will I pay for my water in England and Wales? | How much will I pay for my water in England and Wales? |
| Average water bills will rise by 36% between 2025 and 2030. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Households cannot choose a supplier - it is down to where you live. |
| How can I find my water supplier?, external | How 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. | 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. |
| Wessex and Northumbrian Water bills will go up by the smallest amount - 21%. | Wessex and Northumbrian Water bills will go up by the smallest amount - 21%. |
| Thames Water, which is struggling financially, will be able to charge customers 35% more, with bills going up to £588. | Thames Water, which is struggling financially, will be able to charge customers 35% more, with bills going up to £588. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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 said they needed 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. | 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? | How are water bills calculated in England and Wales? |
| Households in England and Wales are typically billed for water in one of two ways: | Households in England and Wales are typically billed for water in one of two ways: |
| 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 | 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 |
| Metered customers only pay for what they use. They have readings from their water meters collected by the water company | Metered customers only pay for what they use. They have readings from their water meters collected by the water company |
| 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, external | Ofwat: Your water bill, external |
| How can I save money on my water bill? | How can I save money on my 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. Look out for unexplained increases in your bills - it may mean you 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, the 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, the 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. |
| 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: | Before the price rise was announced, the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) surveyed 9,500 households across 19 water company areas, and found: |
| 18% were already struggling to pay their bills | 18% were already struggling to pay their bills |
| 40% would find it difficult to pay more | 40% would find it difficult to pay more |
| CCW chief executive Mike Keil warned significant price increases would put an "intolerable strain" on the finances of millions. | 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. | 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. | 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 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, external | Ofwat: Customer assistance, external |
| Consumer Council for Water: Help with bills, external | Consumer 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 charges linked to their council tax band. |
| Average bills will rise by £35.95 in 2024/25, according to Scottish Water., external | Average 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 touch | Get in touch |
| How are you affected by rising bills? | How are you affected by rising bills? |