Warning: water bills to rise by a whopping 70% by 2030

Water bill hikes could prove to be a major strain on household finances, a consumer watchdog warns.

These hikes would add insult to injury for UK households who are already facing high mortgage rates, council tax rises and rising cost of living, despite slowing inflation .

Analysis by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) revealed that water bills could rise by an eye-watering 70% over the next five years in the UK.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

Suppliers are pushing bills to a staggering £800 by the end of 2030 to navigate troubled waters by funding maintenance repairs, debt servicing and encouraging investing in water after shareholders withdrew £85.2billion in support from ten water suppliers across the UK. 

Just recently, Thames Water, the UK’s largest water supplier that serves about 16 million customers has been under fire for its leaky infrastructure, pollution levels and poor sewage-dumping records. As a result, customers could see rises of up to 44%, bumping up annual bills to roughly £627. 

We look at how much your water bill could go up by and what water suppliers can do to help cut costs for households. 

How much will my water bill go up? 

Your water bill could go up by up to 70% or £337 in the next five years. Every water supplier has proposed different hikes to service debt and level up maintenance costs, which means that what you pay will depend on where you live. 

The water bill rises over the next five years will hit customers harder than before, as research by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research suggests that household disposable incomes have already fallen by up to 17% between 2019-24. And with trust in the water sector already at a 12-year low, this is only going to get worse.

Anita Dougall, CEO of consultancy Sagacity which works with Thames, Southern and Yorkshire Water argues that water companies shouldn’t service their debt by raising bills, as this will “bring panic to many that pay their water bills religiously” and calls it “unfair”. 

We’ve listed the projected rises in water bills across the UK. If you’re unsure about which water supplier you fall under, find out who your water supplier is.

Source: Consumer Council for Water

What is the average water bill in the UK in 2024?

 While the above changes are set to take place from next year onwards, households will still face a rise in water bills this year. 

The average water bill in England and Wales will hover at around £473 a year, according to Water UK, which is an increase of about £28 from April 2023. For Scotland, this will come up to be about £35.95 more. If you live in Northern Ireland, there are no domestic water charges as of now. 

Bear in mind that water rates vary across the country, and what you are billed depends on your location, property size, and if you have a water meter. 

What’s next for water suppliers?

Currently, Thames Water is in debt of £14.7billion, which amounts to about 80% of the entire water supplier business. This makes it the most heavily debted of all suppliers across the country. 

However, it’s not the only supplier drowning in debt. According to Ofwat, the water industry suffered a total debt of £60.6billion in March 2023. 

Many claim that since more than half of the water companies are owned by foreign investors who load up all the profits for themselves, it comes at the cost of investing in the sector. 

But instead of companies servicing their debt by raising bills for water customers, they could recoup funds from customers who have been incorrectly billed, according to Dougall.

She suggests, “Inaccurate occupier data means countless properties in the UK are not billed for their water supply, leaving black holes in companies' budgets. While switching off the taps isn't an option, suppliers can ensure those who can pay do.

“By gaining a better understanding of who is consuming water and their personal situation, suppliers can both protect vulnerable customers, and recover rightful revenue to keep price rises to a minimum.”

Dougall asks Ofwat to step and work with suppliers and CCW to regulate price hikes, so that everyone can have fair access to water. She says that this way, “suppliers can claim the money they’re owed, while helping bill payers keep their heads above water."

How to cut your water bill 

Here are a few things you can do to stay on top of your household costs and usage: 

Get a free water meter: This could mean big savings for your household if you live in England or Wales, as you could cut £100s on your household costs. Contact your water supplier either online or over the phone to find out what options are available. 

Try reducing your water usage: By simple measures such as upgrading your shower head to an energy-efficient one, turning off taps when brushing or fixing leaky taps, you could save your household chunks of cash. Plus, get hold of water-saving freebies from your supplier while you can. 

Get an assessed charge bill: If you don’t have a water meter, try getting an assessed charge bill. This works out your bill based on how many people live in your house, the number of bedrooms and the type of property you live in. 

Wash your car smartly: Try making use of a bucket or a water can instead of a water hose to save yourself around 100 litres of water.