Water bills to rise in April by £33 on average

Water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average of £33 a year from April, about 5.4%, while industry groups say the funds will support a £104 billion investment programme and expanded social tariff support for around 2.5 million households.

Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of £33 a year from April, the article reports. That increase is about 5.4% and is higher than the current inflation rate, reported at 3.4%. Ofwat previously approved plans allowing average bills to rise by 36% over a five-year period to 2030. Water UK says the extra revenue is needed to fund a £104 billion programme to upgrade water and sewage infrastructure and reduce sewage entering rivers and seas. Key points: - The average household increase is reported as £33 per year, equivalent to about £2.70 per month (around 5.4%). - Ofwat earlier granted permission for average bill rises totalling 36% across a five-year period to 2030. - Water UK says the rise will fund a £104 billion investment programme; it expects an extra 300,000 households to receive social-tariff support in 2026/27, bringing the total to about 2.5 million households with an average discount near 40%. - Ofwat said customer money is ringfenced for improvements and that it will monitor company performance; it also noted companies may have to return money to customers if commitments are not met, and company support for struggling households has been increased with more than 2 million households accessing help. - The article lists individual company bill levels and changes, which vary across firms, and it reports common saving ideas such as shortening shower time, checking for free water-saving devices through Save Water Save Money, and information about potential savings from installing a water meter mentioned by Martin Lewis. Summary: The announced rise will take effect from April and reflects regulators' earlier approvals to fund long-term infrastructure work. Regulators and industry say additional support and social tariffs will expand for some households, and Ofwat will continue to monitor company delivery and the use of customer funds.