Water bills to rise by 20% on average from April with further hikes planned – here's what's happening where you live

To summarise:

• In England and Wales: The average bill increase for water and sewerage firms in 2025/26 will be £86 (20%) – you'll see any changes in your April 2025 bill. Meanwhile, the average water and sewerage bill will increase by £157 (36%) over the next five years. Below we've provided a full breakdown of what's happening in your area.

• In Scotland, any changes for water charges in 2025/26 will be announced in January 2025, according to national supplier Scottish Water.

• In Northern Ireland, there are currently no domestic water charges.

See below for help reducing your costs, as well as our Cut your water bills guide for full info.

In England and Wales, prices vary depending on where you live

The table below shows how average forecast water and sewerage charges are set to change in England and Wales. Be aware that these are predicted increases before inflation (November's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) is also added), meaning in reality bills could be even higher.

Today's increase is larger than expected. Ofwat says it's in part to pay for a £104 billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver "substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment".

Separately, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has today announced an inquiry into reforming the water sector with a report expected in mid-2025.

Meanwhile, the Government announced earlier this month that it will force water firms to increase the compensation offered to households when things go wrong; for example taking maximum payments for issues such as low water pressure from £25 to up to £250 and payments for internal sewage flooding from £1,000 to £2,000. These changes are expected to take force next year.

Our top tips for saving on your water bills

Households are locked in to using the water company that provides for their area, meaning that unlike energy and broadband, you can't switch away if you're unhappy. But there are still ways to cut down your bill:

• Switch to a free water meter. If you live in England or Wales and there are more bedrooms in your home than people, getting a free water meter could help you save £100s as you only pay for what you use instead of a fixed amount. To get a water meter installed, head to your provider's website and see if you can apply – you'll usually need to fill in an application form – or give it a call and ask.

  In Scotland, it's not free to have a water meter installed (it's actually quite pricey), so you're probably better off sticking to the estimated payments.

• Ask for an 'assessed charge bill'. Those living in England or Wales who can't get a water meter should look into getting an 'assessed charge bill'. This is worked out on details such as how many people live in your home, but varies from company to company. You could also consider applying for a social tariff. See our Cut your water bills guide for more info.

• Check if you're owed a sewerage rebate. If your home isn't connected to the public sewer, you don't need to pay waste water charges – see our MSE News story for how to check and challenge your bills.

• Try cutting your usage. See if you can get free water-saving gadgets. And see MoneySavers' top tips for using less water.

• Struggling to pay? Contact your supplier. All companies offer some kind of support – this can be anything from providing repayment plans, discounts or even a cap on how much you pay.