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From council tax hikes to the ongoing inflation costs of basic daily necessities, money will be stretched more than ever.
Another announced cost is an increase in water bills. Here’s what you need to know…
When will my water bills go up?
Water bills will go up on April 1, 2023.
Water UK released a statement in February confirming that bills would increase by an average of £31 to £448 a year (equivalent to around 60p more each week), but that figure would vary depending on location and water usage.
Support for low-income households is also rising to an all-time high.
More than 1 million households are already receiving help with their water bills, and that number will increase to 1.2 million in the coming months.
Learn more about water bill support and whether you qualify.
How much more will my water bills be?
According to Water UK, average annual water and wastewater bills in England and Wales are projected to increase by £31 (7.5%) to £448 over the coming year.
While this is a blow to households already facing hard times, the increase in water bills is below inflation (November CPIH inflation, which regulators took as a benchmark, was 9.3%).
Water bills remain lower in real terms than ten years ago.
The 7.5% increase in water prices is significantly lower than the price increase seen elsewhere.
The energy price cap is due to increase by 20% in April, following an earlier increase of 27% in October (a three-and-a-half-fold increase in water prices), while broadband and mobile bills will increase by up to 14%.
How to check your water bill increase
The table below shows how average water and wastewater bills in England and Wales will change from April, but individual bills could be higher or lower depending on factors such as location, usage and having a water meter.
Estimated cost of water and sewage bills for 2023/24
- Anglican£492, + £47 y/y (y/y)
- Dŵr Cymru Welsh water£499, +£14 yoy
- Hafren Dyfrdwy£372, + £41 y/y
- Northumbria£391, +£29 yoy
- Severn Trent£419, +£28 y/y
- SW£476, +£8 yoy
- South£439, + £43 yoy
- Thames£456, + £39 yoy
- United tools£443, +£26 yoy
- Wessex, £504 + £42 year on year
- Yorkshire£446, + £30 year on year.
How to save money on water bills
Expert in saving money Martin Lewis shared ways you can try to mitigate some of the increased costs.
Martin explained on his ITV show how installing a water meter could save hundreds. Households can opt for a two-year trial, and one woman named Debra did so and managed to save £400 over the course of a year.
He also shared advice for people struggling with benefits, disabilities or medical conditions to speak to their water company to see if they could trade in for a cheaper tariff if they use a lot of hot water for showers and baths.
Finally, he said that everyone can try to get the most out of water-saving gadgets.
Explaining that they are “postcode dependent”, people can use sites like Savewatersavemoney.co.uk where you can get gadgets “totally free from the water company” that “shut off the water and also reduce energy consumption because remember a lot with the water we use is heated.”
MORE: What is the upcoming cap on energy prices and by how much?
MORE: How do I claim the £200 Alternative Fuels payment and who is eligible?
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