WATER bills are set to rise from TODAY, adding another strain on households’ finances.
Not only are energy bills and broadband tariffs due a hike in price with the new month starting today, but residents will have to fork out more for their water supply too.
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That’s because the average combined water bill will rise from £412 a year to £419 from April 1, according to WaterUK.
In some cases, households will have to pay up to £36 a year more.
The exact amount your bill will rise from this month will depend on where you live, how much you’re charged and the rate it’s increasing by.
Different areas of the country have a water company assigned to them.
And that company is responsible for setting the costs of bills and the rises for residents.
Unfortunately you can’t simply switch to another one when you’re unhappy like you can with other utilities.
But that doesn’t mean water companies can just set whatever prices they like – they have to follow strict rules set by the regulator, Ofwat, to make sure that bills are fair and provide value for money.
The regulator has also said that not everyone will necessarily see their bills shoot up.
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Some customers in England and Wales could see their bills reduce by 6%, but others might see an increase by an inflation-busting 10% on the other end of the scale.
The exact price you pay can also be down to how much water you use and if you have a water meter to record your usage or not.
Your total water bill also covers sewage costs in the area as well as just the costs of treating water and having it supplied to your home.
It’s split roughly in half with about £200 on average for the cost of the water bill and £219 on average for the sewage cost.
Some areas of the UK, including Essex and Suffolk for example, will see their average water costs alone go up from £223 to £246 a year.
You can check how much the average bill is going up in your area from the Discover Water website.
But we’ve also rounded up how much your area’s bills might be going up or down in a handy list too.
How water bill prices change in April
Here’s how much each water company is increasing – or in some cases decreasing – its prices.
We’ve shown the average bill, but how much you pay might be more depending on your personal usage.
The price also shows the total you pay for a combined water and sewage bill.
Anglian Water
- Increase: 5.1%
- Was: £430 a year
- From April: £452 a year
- Extra: £22 a year
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
- Increase: 0.1%
- Was: £463 a year
- From April: £463 a year
- Extra: £0 a year
Hafren Dyfrdwy
- Increase: 5.7%
- Was: £316 a year
- From April: £334 a year
- Extra: £18 a year
Northumbrian Water
- Increase: 10.8%
- Was: £330 a year
- From April: £365 a year
- Extra: £35 a year
Severn Trent
- Increase: 7.1%
- Was: £363 a year
- From April: £389 a year
- Extra: £26 a year
South West Water
- Decrease: 6.2%
- Was: £503
- From April: £472
- Save: £31 a year
Southern Water
- Decrease: 4.3%
- Was: £419 a year
- From April: £402 a year
- Save: £17 a year
Thames Water
- Increase: 0.7%
- Was: £420 a year
- From April: £423 a year
- Extra: £3 a year
United Utilities
- Decrease: 0.8%
- Was: £425 a year
- From April: £422
- Save: £3 a year
Wessex Water
- Increase: 3.5%
- Was: £454 a year
- From April: £470 a year
- Extra: £16 a year
Yorkshire Water
- Decrease: 1.4%
- Was: £425 a year
- From April: £419 a year
- Save: £6 a year
How can I save on my water bill?
Moving to a water meter could help you save cash.
One mum more than HALVED her water bill after getting a meter – saving over £200 a year.
The device will measure how much water you use and send the data to your supplier who uses it to take more accurate readings and charge you your bill.
Obviously if you do use a lot of water then it makes no sense to have a meter as your bills could go UP.
For example, if you have a big family and more people than bedrooms or simply use lots of water intensive appliances like washing machines or dishwashers – if that’s the case then a fixed fee will be better for you.
Having a water meter doesn’t help with the standard charge that’s based on where you live either, but it can help you cut down the costs of your personal usage at home.
Part of that is how long you spend in the shower too.
According to Uswitch you could cut £70 from your energy bills and reduce your water bills too by reducing your wash time.
And leaving the water running while you brush your teeth could add £60 a year to your bills says Octopus.
The same goes for washing dishes, be sure you turn the tap off as if you’re doing it in the sink, leaving it running will add £25 to your annual bill.
But one water expert revealed to The Sun that you can cut down on simple things like the washing up by only using one glass for drinking water throughout the day, or reducing how much you use your washing machine.
Many water companies offer free water-saving devices that shave pounds off your bills too.
Contact your supplier or check out savewatersavemoney.co.uk.
Freebies include shower timers and buffalo bags, which save water with every flush.
And you can get help to cover the costs of your water bill too.
Water companies offer a range of support to struggling households, including a cap on bills for large families and those with certain medical conditions through the WaterSure scheme.
To qualify for the scheme you need to already have a water meter installed, and prove you need to use a lot of water.
Bills are capped at the average amount for your supplier, so the amount you could save will vary but bills are reduced by £270 on average through the scheme according to The Consumer Council for Water.
Social tariffs are also an option for those on Universal Credit and you can find out more about who is eligible for both schemes and how to apply in our guide.
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