Major water company could raise bills by up to 59% next year

Thames Water, a major water company, is proposing a to raise bills by up to 59% by 2030.

This would add an average of £228 a year to household costs – an average of £18.99 per month.

The firm says it needs to raise water bills to get enough money to fix its leaky pipes and sewage systems. It has submitted paperwork to Ofwat, the water regulator, requesting a yearly bill increase from £433 to £666.50 by 2030.

But if it spends more on a new reservoir, the company plans to raise bills by 59% to about £696 a year.

Thame Water’s previous attempt to raise bills by 40% was rejected by Ofwat, who said the increase should be limited to 23%.

The firm argued that Ofwat's cap is "not tenable" and makes the business "uninvestable”, adding that there’s a "multi-billion pound gap" between what it’s allowed to charge and the investment it needs.

An Ofwat spokesperson said it would consider responses from water companies, customers, environmental and consumer organisations and investors before making their final decisions on 19 December.

Get help with your water bill

If you're struggling to pay your water bill, read on to find out what steps you can take to manage the situation.

Contact your water company

Reach out to your water supplier as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances and explore options like payment plans.

They may be able to offer flexible payment arrangements or other ways to help you manage your debt.

Financial support

Check whether your water company offers a hardship fund to help those struggling to pay their bills.

Ask your suppliers what help is available or check with CWW.

If you use a lot of water for medical reasons or have several school-age children, you might be able to get help from the WaterSure scheme. Check here if you could be eligible.

Create a budget

Making a budget lets you assess your income and expenses to figure out how much you can afford to pay.

You can use our free budgeting tool to identify areas where you can cut back or find additional income to put towards your water bill.

Water direct

If you get certain benefits, you may be able to have your water bill paid directly from your benefits through water direct.

Priority services register

If you're vulnerable, you might be able to get extra support from your water supplier by signing up for the priority services register.

Find out what qualifies you as being vulnerable and how to sign up.