Households face inflation-shattering water bill increases of up to £224 a year in April in the biggest wave of hikes since privatisation. Watchdogs called for urgent help for customers already battling to cope, as it was confirmed prices will surge by as much as 47% in one hit. Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “These rises are the largest we’ve seen since privatisation and will heap considerable pressure on millions of customers who are already having to make difficult choices.”.
Yet while households learnt of further pain to come, two more water firms revealed more rewards for shareholders. United Utilities and South West Water said they will raise dividend payouts in line with inflation this year. However, customers face bill increases well in excess of inflation. United Utilities, which covers north west England, will hike its average bills by a whopping 23%, or £112, to £598 a year from April. South West’s average bill will jump even more, by 32% - or £166 - to £686 a year. Crisis hit Thames Water will up its average bill by nearly a third - or £151 - to £639 in April.
Yet even that isn’t the biggest increase coming down the line for households from April 1. Southern Water’s prices will rocket by 47% in April, taking its average annual bill to £703 - a leap of £224. The company has been slammed for its track record on pollution. In 2021, it was fined £90million for deliberately dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into the sea.
