Households could be as much as £225 worse off per year as water bills increase kick in next month.
And this is not the only bill hike to come into play. Energy bills are also set to rise by 6.4% from April when the new price cap kicks in, alongside council tax, broadband and more - so much so, it’s been dubbed ‘Awful April’.
The hikes to water bills mean those living in England will pay an average of £123 more for water, but some water companies are pushing higher, up to 47%,. This means some households will pay an eye watering £225 more.
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We look at what the water companies will be charging next month.
How much will I pay for water in April?
Average annual water bills will increase by £123 from April onwards, but there is significant diversity in the rate of change in different regions.
While customers of Southern Water will see increases of £225, customers of Nortumbrian Water face a lower increase of £80.
Water bills vary, depending on where in the country you live. Below is a table showing how much your water bills will increase according to your water provider:
Water provider | Average Bill 2024/5 | Average Bill 2025/6 | Amount increased |
Anglian water | £527 | £626 | £99 (19%) |
Dŵr Cymru | £503 | £639 | £136 (27%) |
Hafren Dyfrdwy | £447 | £590 | £143 (32%) |
Northumbrian Water | £426 | £506 | £80 (19%) |
Severn Trent Water | £457 | £556 | £99 (22%) |
South West Water | £520 | £686 | £166 (32%) |
Southern Water | £478 | £703 | £225 (47%) |
Thames Water | £488 | £639 | £151 (31%) |
United Utilities | £486 | £598 | £112 (23%) |
Wessex Water | £556 | £669 | £113 (20%) |
Yorkshire Water | £467 | £602 | £135 (29%) |
The following providers only deliver water and do not deal with wastewater. Their prices are therefore much lower than dual providers.
Water provider | Average Bill 2024/5 | Average Bill 2025/6 | Amount increased |
Affinity Water (central) | £192 | £235 | £43 (23%) |
Affinity Water (east) | £225 | £278 | £53 (24%) |
Affinity Water (south east) | £249 | £291 | £42 (17%) |
Bournemouth Water | £144 | £191 | £47 (34%) |
Bristol Water | £226 | £234 | £8 (4%) |
Essex and Suffolk Water | £286 | £318 | £32 (11%) |
Portsmouth Water | £120 | £150 | £30 (25%) |
South East Water | £245 | £294 | £49 (20%) |
South Staffs Water (Cambridge) | £163 | £203 | £40 (25%) |
South Staffs Water (South Staffs) | £178 | £224 | £46 (26%) |
SES Water | £254 | £249 | £-5 (-2%) |
Why are water bills increasing?
The hikes come after Ofwat, the water services regulation authority, outlined a plan to invest £104 billion into England’s water infrastructure last December, quadrupling investment. Nine new reservoirs will be built and existing infrastructure will be improved.
Water prices will likely continue to remain high for the next five years to fund the programme.
While the price rises will stretch the budgets of some customers, the water industry body Water UK says firms will expand safeguarding measures to reduce water bills for those struggling.
The body says that more than 3 million households will receive reduced water bills through ‘social tariffs’ or ‘WaterSure’ charges worth more than £4.1 billion over the next five years.
The move has been met with criticism from both politicians and consumer organisations.
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrats’ Environmental spokesperson and former leader has said it is “absolutely scandalous” that consumers are paying for the failings of water companies. “The whole thing stinks,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water, has lamented that the hikes are “more than what many people can afford.”
“We know at least two in five households will find these increases difficult to afford but the support being offered by some water companies lacks ambition. People want to see more investment, but this must be coupled with a strong safety net for customers who will struggle to pay.”
David Black, Ofwat chief executive, said: “We recognise the challenge that some customers are facing with increasing financial pressures and understand that the water sector is not the only area where customers are faced with rising costs.
“We have pushed companies to double the amount of support over the next five-year period and strongly encourage customers who are struggling to pay their water bills to contact their water company to access this.
“While bills are rising, the £104 billion investment we have approved over the next five years will accelerate the delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and help to secure long-term drinking water supplies for customers.”
How can I decrease my water bill?
Though you are unable to take your business elsewhere to avoid the price increases, there are ways to keep your bill down.
One such way is to request a water meter from their supplier. This can “potentially reduce bills” if the household “uses less water than the average home,” according to Jobson.
MoneyWeek has a useful guide that shows how a water meter can save you money.
Other ways to decrease your water bill are to do with your individual water consumption habits. Jobson says that “simple changes” are the key to achieving a smaller bill. He cites the examples of “taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using water-efficient appliances” as ways to keep water costs down.
Jobson also emphasises that “those struggling should check if they qualify for discounted tariffs or hardship support from their water company.”
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