People across most parts of Wales will see their water bills rise by 27% from April, with the average annual bill increasing from £503 to £639. This marks the beginning of five years of price increases from Welsh Water, amounting to a total rise of 42% by 2029-30 – though the steepest increase will occur at the outset.
Water companies across Wales and England are raising bills, stating that the increases will lead to greater investment to address issues such as leaks and sewage overflows. Hafren Dyfrdwy, which serves around 87,000 customers along the Wales-England border, is set to increase bills by 32% from April, raising the average bill from £447 to £590. However, the company said its customers “have the lowest bills in Wales and one of the lowest in the UK” and that assistance is available for those struggling to pay.
Each company operates its system of reduced-rate or capped bills, known as social tariffs, for eligible customers. Welsh Water supports 150,000 customers with reduced bills and is increasing its financial support packages from £63m to £73m over the next five years. A consumer group has warned that there is “an urgent need to bring in a new system of providing help for people who will find it increasingly difficult to pay their bills.”
Welsh Water stated that from April, clean water would cost “an average of £1.75 a day,” adding that the overall increases would support a “68% increase in investment” over the next five years.