Water Bills to Increase by 5.4% from April Across England and Wales
Households in England and Wales are facing an average 5.4% increase in their water bills starting this April, according to recent announcements. This rise will add approximately £33 per year to the typical household's expenses, as water companies prepare to invest billions in infrastructure improvements.
Investment and Infrastructure Upgrades
The bill increases are intended to fund a substantial £20 billion investment over the next two years. This capital is earmarked for securing water supplies and addressing the critical issue of sewage entering rivers and seas. The public outcry over sewage pollution has been a significant driver, prompting firms to raise bills to finance upgrades after years of perceived underinvestment.
Ofwat, the water regulator, has permitted water firms to increase bills by 36% between 2025 and 2030. A substantial portion of this—20% or an average of £86—was implemented in last year's increase. Water UK has emphasised that the funds raised from bills can only be used for infrastructure projects that are independently verified as new, necessary, and value for money.
Variations Across Water Companies
The exact increase varies significantly by water company, with some households facing much steeper rises:
- Severn Trent customers will see a 10% increase.
- Affinity Water has warned of a 13% increase.
- Sutton and East Surrey Water is imposing an 11% increase.
- Bristol Water bills will rise by 12%.
- South East Water is raising bills by an average of 7% to £324 per year, following recent supply disruptions blamed on Storm Goretti.
Affordability Measures and Customer Protections
To mitigate the impact, more than two million households currently receive assistance through social tariffs, the WaterSure scheme, and other affordability measures. This support is expected to expand by an additional 300,000 households over the coming year. Water UK has also highlighted a money-back guarantee, where customer bills will be automatically refunded by the regulator if promised improvements are not delivered.
David Henderson, Chief Executive of Water UK, stated: ‘We understand increasing bills are never welcome, but the money is needed to fund vital upgrades to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.’ He added that plans are in place to help 2.5 million households receive 40% discounts on their water bills.
Growing Concerns and Complaints
Despite these measures, concerns about affordability persist. The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) reported a 51% increase in complaints about water companies in 2025, largely driven by worries over bill affordability and dissatisfaction with last April's significant increases.
Mike Keil, Chief Executive of CCW, commented: ‘People support investment in improving services, but they are impatient for change and need to see compelling evidence their money is being well spent.’
Criticism from Environmental Campaigners
Environmental groups have expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of these investments. Rob Abrams, Campaign Manager at Surfers Against Sewage, argued: ‘Nearly a third of our water bills are swallowed up servicing the water company debt pile and shelling out dividends whilst we get sick from sewage. So why should we believe this time will be any different? Water isn’t a commodity. It’s a necessity. Yet it’s being milked for profit while sewage is pumped into our waters.’
This ongoing debate underscores the tension between necessary infrastructure funding and the financial burden on households, as England and Wales grapple with balancing water security, environmental protection, and affordability in the years ahead.
