Households in England and Wales experienced an average increase of £123 in their water bills this year. The typical yearly bill now stands at £603, representing a monthly rise of about £10.
Regional impacts vary, with some areas facing more substantial increases. For example, Southern Water customers will see a 47% hike, bringing their average annual bill to £703.
Despite these rises, support is available through reduced tariffs, yet many eligible individuals are not taking advantage of these opportunities. Research by Policy in Practice revealed that in 2024, £974 million worth of water bill social tariffs went unclaimed.
Sebrina McCullough, Money Wellness’s director of external relations, emphasized that many water companies provide discounts for low-income or benefit-receiving individuals. Customers should reach out to their providers to determine eligibility for support.
Below is a breakdown of the assistance offered by 21 water providers to eligible customers.
Customers with a household income below £19,995 (excluding benefits) or those receiving income-related benefits like Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit may qualify. The scheme limits annual clean water bills to £143.80, with a reduced fixed rate of £95.80 for council tax reduction/support claimants.
Eligibility is subject to individual financial assessments, with qualifying customers potentially receiving up to a 50% discount on their yearly bill through a discounted metered tariff.
This initiative targets customers spending 5% or more of their income (post-housing costs) on water bills and requires applicants to have a water meter or be on assessed charges.
Discounts are tiered from 15% to 85% based on specific criteria.
Low-income households experiencing financial challenges can access a low-rate tariff based on their ability to pay, with discounts applied to the average annual bill. Those receiving Pension Credit may qualify for a 20% discount if the bill payer and all adults in the household are pension credit recipients.
Customers on Pension Credit (guarantee element) or with a household income below £22,011 may be eligible for a 60% bill reduction in the first year and 40% in the second year.
If claimants have no income while awaiting Universal Credit, charges are waived for eight weeks.
Customers on income-related benefits with household incomes below £12,000 (one person), £18,100 (two people), or £19,100 (three or more people) could qualify. Annual bills are capped at £319.03 (£128.17 for water, £190.86 for sewerage).
Households earning less than £26,000 or with a member receiving Pension Credit (where water bills constitute 3% or more of net income) may receive up to a 40% discount on their annual bill.
This scheme adjusts annual water charges based on household size and income, tailoring the bill to individual circumstances.
Customers with water meters may be eligible for various discount schemes, with potential savings of up to 50% on water and sewerage charges.
Households earning less than £26,000 or those on Pension Credit (where water bills represent 3% or more of net income) could qualify for discounts of up to 40%.
Customers earning less than £21,000 (excluding benefits like Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit) may have their water bill capped at £91.12 per year.
This program supports low-income households struggling with bill payments, offering varying discounts based on financial evaluations and tariff bands.
Customers with household incomes below £17,000 (excluding disability benefits) are eligible for a 50% reduction, while those with annual household incomes between £17,000 and £21,000 may receive a 30% bill reduction.
Households earning less than £22,020 (excluding specific benefits) and with savings below £16,000 may qualify for discounts ranging from 45% to 90%. Those qualifying solely through Pension Credit receive a 45% discount.
Households earning less than £22,011 (plus £1,500 per child) or those on Pension Credit (guar
