Water bills are rising - how much more could you pay?

If you live in England or Wales, you’re likely to see your water bill go up from April.

On average, water bills will rise by 5.4%, adding around £33 a year to what you pay, that’s roughly £2.70 extra a month.

Why are water bills rising?

The water industry says bills need to rise so companies can upgrade infrastructure.

According to Water UK, water companies plan to invest £20bn between 2026 and 2027 to:

• secure future water supplies
• reduce sewage being discharged into rivers and seas

The industry has also been promised a ‘money-back guarantee’. This means you’d automatically get money back on your bill if companies fail to deliver the improvements, with refunds enforced by the regulator.

How much is the average water bill?

After last year’s increase, the average water bill is now £639 a year.

However, what you pay depends heavily on where you live. From 1 April, some of the biggest increases include:

• Affinity Water (central region): up 13%
• Bristol Water: up 12%
• Sutton and East Surrey: up 11%
• Severn Trent: up 10%

If you’re with South East Water, your bill will rise by an average of 7% to £324 a year, despite recent supply disruptions blamed on Storm Goretti.

Your bill can also depend on:

• whether you have a water meter
• how much water you use

What help is available if you can’t afford your bill?

If you’re worried about paying, you’re not alone. More than two million households already get help with their water bills through social tariffs, WaterSure and other schemes.

Over the next year, support is expected to expand to another 300,000 households, with average discounts of around 40%.

What help can you get for water bills?

Social tariffs

You might be eligible for a discounted rate (social tariff) if you’re on a low income or getting certain benefits.

Each water company will have its own eligibility criteria.

Get in touch with your provider to find out what support they offer and if you qualify.

Find out more about social tariffs.

WaterSure

If you use lots of water because of a medical condition or having three or more school-age children, you may be eligible for the WaterSure scheme.

It helps certain people with high water usage by capping their bills at the average for their area.

To qualify, you’ll need to have a water meter and receive certain benefits.

Contact your water company

Water isn't a priority debt because providers can't cut off your water supply. However, you shouldn't ignore it.

If you're struggling to keep up with payments, contact your water provider right away. They can help you find the right support for your situation.

Debt support

If you're having trouble with water bills, you may be behind on other bills too.

If you’re struggling with debt, we can help. We can also make sure you’re claiming all the financial support you’re entitled to.