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Water Bills Surge: What You Need to Know
29 Jan
Summary
- Average water bills will increase by £33 annually from April.
- This represents a 5.4% rise, exceeding current inflation rates.
- Funds are earmarked for a £104 billion investment in infrastructure.
Beginning this April, households in England and Wales will experience an average increase of £33 on their annual water bills. This equates to a monthly rise of £2.70, or approximately 5.4%, which is higher than the current inflation rate of 3.4%.
This adjustment is a consequence of a pre-approved plan by regulator Ofwat, which permits water companies to raise average bills by 36% by 2030. Water UK asserts that these funds are crucial for a £104 billion investment program focused on infrastructure upgrades and mitigating sewage spills.
To assist customers, Water UK projects that around 300,000 more households will receive support via social tariffs by 2026/27, bringing the total to approximately 2.5 million. These tariffs offer an average discount of 40% on water and sewerage charges.
Consumer groups have noted a significant rise in complaints regarding water bill affordability. Ofwat acknowledges the potential hardship for some customers and confirms that company-provided support for struggling households has been doubled, with over two million households currently receiving assistance.
