The average annual water bill will rise by 26% or £123 in the next financial year alone, according to industry figures covering England and Wales. Water UK confirmed how inflation-busting hikes, determined by the regulator Ofwat in December, would play out from 1 April when a new five-year pricing period begins.
The watchdog allowed bills to rise sharply from 2025-30, but not by as much as suppliers had wanted, to help fund badly needed infrastructure upgrades in key areas, such as storm overflows to prevent sewage spills. Water UK, which represents the water firms, said the average water and wastewater bill would go up from £480 to £603 during 2025/26 - an increase of about £10 a month.
But the increases will be even harder to swallow for many. Southern Water customers will see the largest in percentage terms, a 47% increase, taking their average bill to £703. Bills for households covered by Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water will rise by 32%.
Thames Water's 16 million customers face a 31% hike to £639 - a rise of £151 - at a time when the company is still scrambling to secure its financial future amid a massive debt pile that could yet tip it towards a special administration process. Water UK explained that the rises may be higher than customers were expecting as the annual totals now included inflation calculations.
