Households across England and Wales are set to see their water bills increase from April 2026, with an average rise of 5.4 per cent adding approximately £33 to annual costs. This equates to around £2.70 per month for the typical consumer, as water companies implement new charges to fund essential infrastructure upgrades.
Understanding the Bill Increases
The price adjustments have been approved by the water regulator Ofwat as part of a broader £20 billion investment programme aimed at improving water and sewage systems. David Henderson, chief executive at Water UK, acknowledged that higher bills are "never welcome" but emphasised that the funds will be directed towards critical infrastructure projects deemed necessary for future resilience.
Regional Variations in Water Charges
Not all customers will experience the same level of increase, with significant regional disparities. Affinity Water customers face the steepest rise at 13 per cent, while Severn Trent bills will increase by 10 per cent. South East Water customers will see a 7 per cent rise, despite recent supply issues that have affected service reliability.
In London, Thames Water customers will encounter a more modest adjustment, with average annual bills rising to £658. This represents an increase of £3 per month or 0.4 per cent, placing it below the national average increase.
Affordability Concerns and Support Schemes
The Consumer Council for Water has expressed serious concerns about the impact of these rises on household budgets. Chief executive Mike Keil reported that complaints about water bill affordability have nearly tripled in the past year, highlighting growing financial pressure on consumers.
To address these concerns, water companies are expanding financial assistance programmes. Currently, more than two million households benefit from social tariffs and affordability schemes, with plans to extend support to an additional 300,000 households over the coming year. These schemes typically offer average discounts of around 40 per cent on water bills for eligible customers.
Long-Term Investment and Accountability
The current increases form part of a longer-term pricing strategy, with Ofwat having approved water companies to raise bills by 36 per cent between 2025 and 2030. Water UK has committed that all funds generated through these increases will be exclusively used for infrastructure projects that are "new, necessary and value for money."
Furthermore, the industry body has introduced a money-back guarantee mechanism, promising refunds to customers if promised improvements are not delivered as scheduled. This accountability measure aims to ensure that bill payers receive tangible benefits from their increased contributions.
As April approaches, households are advised to check with their specific water provider for exact billing changes and explore available support options if they anticipate difficulties meeting the higher charges.
