Households across England and Wales will see their monthly water bills increase by an average of £10 starting in April, according to final figures released by the industry. This rise will push the

average annual bill to £603, although the actual increase will vary significantly between regions.

Water companies have pledged additional investment in infrastructure projects, such as new reservoirs, and have promised more financial support for struggling customers. However, consumer groups warn that the price hike could push more households into debt.

Steep increases for some regions

The regulator Ofwat previously outlined expected bill increases for the next five years in December, but those projections did not factor in inflation. The newly announced figures from industry body Water UK do account for rising costs faced by suppliers, leading to even higher bills than initially anticipated.

On average, customers will see their monthly bills rise from £40 to £50. However, some households will experience significantly steeper hikes:

- Southern Water customers will see a 47% increase, bringing annual bills to £703.

- Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water bills will rise by 32%.

- Thames Water customers will face a 31% increase.

- Yorkshire Water bills will go up by 29%.

- Bournemouth Water customers will also see a 32% rise.

Bill changes will vary depending on factors such as whether a household uses a water meter and individual water consumption.

Investment vs. affordability

The water industry is front-loading bill increases over the next five years, with a sharp rise in April to kickstart investment in new infrastructure, including additional reservoirs.

David Henderson, chief executive of Water UK, acknowledged the financial burden but emphasized the need for urgent investment in water and sewage systems. "We understand that increasing bills is never welcome. While we urgently need to invest in our infrastructure, we recognize that this rise will be difficult for many households," he said.

Henderson also noted that while the industry has underinvested in the past, investment levels are regulated and determined every five years by Ofwat.

Support for struggling households

Water companies have committed more than £4 billion over the next five years to fund social tariffs, which offer discounted bills to vulnerable customers. However, the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) argues that the support is still insufficient, as 2.5 million households are already in debt to their water providers.

"These increases will put immense pressure on millions of customers who are already making difficult financial choices," said CCW chief executive Mike Keil. "People want to see investment in better services and cleaner rivers, but not at a cost that is unbearable for struggling households."

According to CCW, this is the largest water bill increase since the industry was privatized 36 years ago.

Ofwat chief executive David Black urged customers in financial difficulty to seek help from their water providers. "We have pushed companies to double their support over the next five years. If you're struggling to pay your water bill, reach out to your provider for assistance," he said.

What to do if you can't pay your bill

Each water company offers different forms of support, including:

- Debt support programs

- Financial hardship funds

- Payment breaks

Customers facing financial challenges are encouraged to contact their water supplier as soon as possible to explore available assistance options. Photo by Davide Restivo from Aarau, Switzerland, Wikimedia commons.