More support for vulnerable households needed as water bills set to skyrocket

With steep water price rises on the horizon, there are growing calls for water companies to increase support for vulnerable customers.

Rising water bills

Water regulator Ofwat will unveil how much water bills will rise over the next five years on Thursday (19 December),

Water companies are asking for permission to charge billions more, saying their structures need upgrades and their investors need financial returns.

Consumer concerns

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has said it’s concerned about the impact of rising bills on vulnerable customers.

Mike Keil, the CCW’s chief executive, said water companies need to step up their efforts to support households who won’t be afford these increases.

The proposal for a social tariff

Some campaigners are calling for one single social tariff for water. All suppliers would contribute to a funding pot, to then be split among customers in most need.

Right now, water companies in England and Wales offer their own social tariffs, giving discounts to those who have a low income.

But the effectiveness of these schemes varies widely across regions because of:

• inconsistent support across different water companies
• lack of awareness of discounts available
• hurdles in the application process for social tariffs

Public sentiment and political pressure

Many people are unhappy with water companies' operations.

Campaigners are calling for improved accountability, especially after the recent sewage spillages into local waterways.

Although there have been several illegal overflow incidents, no fines have been issued to the water companies involved.

Financial pressure on water companies

Several water companies have been struggling financially.

Thames Water, for example, say they are facing enormous debts of £19bn and may run out of cash as early as March if action isn’t taken.

Struggling to pay your water bills?

If you're having trouble paying your water bills, you're not alone. Many people are facing high utility costs.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage your bills and avoid debt.

Start by talking to your water company

They usually have support schemes and payment plans for those in need.

They may help you spread your payments over a longer period, offer discounts based on your income, or give advice on how to use less water.

Apply for your provider’s WaterSure scheme

If you receive certain benefits, like universal credit or housing benefit, and have a water meter, you might be able to lower your water bill even if you use a lot.

To qualify, you must have either:

• three or more children under 19
• someone in your home with a medical condition requiring extra water

Find your water provider using Water UK’s postcode checker, then search for ‘WaterSure’ for more details.

Think about getting a water meter

With a meter, you pay for the water you actually use, which can save you money.

This is especially useful for smaller households. Many water companies install meters for free, so it’s worth checking with yours.

Ask for help

If you’re behind on your water payments and are struggling with other debts, free debt advice is available.

We can help you find a suitable debt solution (some are free and there’s a fee for others) and check that you’re claiming all the financial support you’re eligible for.