Water bills set to rise by £94 over the next 5 years

The UK's water regulator, Ofwat, has announced that average water bills will increase by 21% over the next 5 years. This works out to £19 more per year and means households will be paying an extra £94 by 2029.

The water companies need the extra funds to finance a £88 billion investment programme to tackle various environmental and operational challenges facing the sector.

The plan includes reducing pollution, improving customer service, and making water infrastructure more resilient to climate change.

While the increase won’t be welcomed by stretched households, it is lower than water companies had initially asked for.

So with bills on the rise, it’s worth doing all you can to limit your household’s water usage and wastage. Here’s everything you need to know about cutting water bills and the help that’s available if you’ve fallen behind on payments.

Install a water meter

Using a water meter means you only pay for the water you use. If you believe you use less than the average metered house in your area, you could save between £50-£100 a year by having a meter installed.

It could also be worth switching if your house has a high rateable value, as some water bills are based on this. But be cautious when fitting a water meter because you could also end up paying more if you use more than an average house.

Shower don’t bathe

Soaking in a long hot bath can make your water bill skyrocket. The average bath takes around 30 gallons of water and accounts for around 3% of all water used indoors. Whereas taking a quick shower of 6 minutes or less using a low-flow showerhead, will do the same job and significantly reduce the amount of water used.

Switch to a dual flush toilet

No one likes toilet talk but this chat could save you cash.  Dual flush toilets offer two flushing options – a low volume for liquid waste and a higher volume for solid waste. Dual flush toilets use about 2.3 gallons less per flush compared to older models.

Fully load your dishwasher and washing machine

Many people believe hand washing uses less water than dishwashers, but this is a misconception. Dishwashers are actually more water efficient especially when they’re fully loaded. And there’s no need to waste water on pre-rinsing either because modern machines are more than capable of doing the job.

Similarly, you can make your clothes washing less costly by only using your machine when you have a full load, and avoiding an extra rise cycle.

If you’re looking to replace an old washing machine, look out for the water icon on the energy-efficient label and choose the one that performs best.

Invest in a water butt

A water butt is essentially a large outside storage unit that collects rainwater. They can help you save on your water bills if you’re on a meter by collecting rainwater that can be used for watering your garden. They start from £35 but with sprinklers and hoses using 1000 litres of water an hour – the equivalent to 12 baths – they make a huge saving on your bill.

See if you’re eligible for a WaterSure discount

WaterSure is a scheme that helps vulnerable or low income households with their water bills. To be helped by the scheme, you must be on benefits and need to use a lot of water for medical reasons or because your household has school-age children. You’ll also need to have a water meter or be waiting for one to be fitted.

If you’re eligible for WaterSure, your water bill will be capped regardless of how much you use. So, you’ll never pay more than the average metered bill in your area.

Check out social tariffs and grants

Most water companies have introduced social tariffs, which provide the same service at a reduced price to households who would otherwise struggle to pay. Visit the Consumer Council for Water website to see if your water provider has a social tariff and find out how to apply.

Some water providers have also introduced grants and financial support to help customers struggling with water debt. You should contact your water company to see if they can help.