Millions in England to pay higher water bills after suppliers appeal

Millions of households in England face higher water bills than planned following a review by the competition regulator.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ruled that the following five water companies, which serve 14.7 million customers collectively, will be allowed to increase water bills by an average of 2.2%:
Anglian Water

• Northumbrian Water
• South East Water
• Southern Water
• Wessex Water

Anglian, Southern, South East and Wessex water customers will see increases ranging of 1.7% to 3.7%.

Why are bills allowed to rise again?
The five water companies appealed the price controls set by the water regulator Ofwat.

They argued that Ofwat’s decision left them unable to meet regulatory standards, for example, investing in upgrading pipe networks.

The CMA ruled that the companies could spend an additional £463m in revenue, around 17% less than the £2.7bn they had requested.

Water bills in England and Wales were already expected to rise by an average of £33 per household from April 2026.

How to save on water bills
Unlike other utility bills, such as energy, broadband or your mobile phone, you can’t switch your water provider to get a better deal.

That’s because your supplier is determined by the location you live in.

There are still other ways to try and lower the cost of your water bill:

– check your tariff: you might be able to get a cheaper water tariff if you live alone and don’t have a water meter, are disabled or have reached State Pension age and get Pension Credit. Simply contact your supplier to see if you’re eligible.

– consider a water meter: if you live in a small household and don’t use a lot of water a meter might help you save. Use a free water meter calculator to see if it could cut your costs.

– get water efficient: switching to more efficient shower and tap fixtures could help you save between £75 to £210 per year.

If you’re worried about affording your water bill, get in contact with your supplier as soon as possible.

They can help assess your circumstances and find an affordable payment option for you.