Water bills are set to increase by 6% in England and Wales

In England and Wales, residents are bracing for a 6% increment in their household water and sewerage bills. This change is anticipated to commence from April.

Regions Facing the Steepest Hikes

Households served by Wessex Water and Anglian Water are expected to absorb the most substantial bumps in their bills, with an average rise of £548 and £529 respectively. In comparison, those who receive services from Northumbrian will experience a relatively modest increase, with an average of £442.

Investments Justifying the Increase

According to the statement from Water UK, the hike is a part of plans for water firms to pour a record £14.4 billion into enhancing supply security and drastically reducing sewage discharges into rivers and seas. Despite the rise, Water UK has noted that the increase is mild compared to the previous fiscal year, pointing out that bills would have been about £60 higher had they risen at the same rate as inflation since 2014.

Record Investment to Improve Infrastructure

David Henderson, the chief executive of Water UK, elaborated on the investment, indicating that it would help secure water supply for the future and mitigate sewage pollution. He highlighted that over 2,000 kilometers of water pipes would undergo repairs or replacements, and that sewage treatment capacity would significantly expand.

He also underlined the doubling of customer support, with over two million households receiving help with their bills. He emphasized the commitment of the water companies to customer support, ensuring that no one would be cut off or be obliged to use a prepayment meter.

Authorities Call for Customer Support

David Black, Ofwat's chief executive, acknowledged the potential hardships these increases could entail for some households and urged water companies to protect the most vulnerable customers. He also encouraged individuals struggling to pay their water bills to reach out to their water companies to explore available assistance plans.

Consumer Council for Water's chief executive, Mike Keil, pointed out that the rising costs could burden almost a fifth of households that already find it difficult to manage water bills. He called on water companies to leverage their profits to help those unable to cope with further bill increases, reminding them of the pledge made five years prior to eradicate water poverty in England and Wales.

water, bills, increase