Water bills to rise from April with further hikes planned – here's what's happening where you live

To summarise:

• In England and Wales: For 2025/26, the average forecast bill increase (including November's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation) for water and sewerage firms is £123 (26%) – you'll see any changes in your April 2025 bill.
  
  Over the five-year period between 2024/25 and 2029/30, the average water and sewerage bill was expected to increase by £157 (36%). However, you'll likely pay even more than this in reality, because that forecast figure DOES NOT include more recent bill adjustments or inflation (which will be added on top).

• In Scotland: Water and sewerage prices depend on your council tax band and are generally paid alongside your council tax. For 2025/26, the average bill will increase by £44 a year (9.9%). You'll see any changes in your April 2025 bill. See Scottish Water's website for a full breakdown.

• 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. Note that YOUR exact rise might be different, as there are a lot of variables that go into working out the averages – see more on how water bill rises are calculated.

This increase is larger than expected. The regulator 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 announced an inquiry into reforming the water sector with a report expected in mid-2025.

Meanwhile, the Government announced in December 2024 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 in 2025.

How water bill rises are calculated

Your water bill is made up of several costs, which your water provider can distribute differently among households, provided it follows Ofwat’s guidelines and stays within the overall agreed average price rise for the year.

For example, in a given year, a water company can increase charges more for those who have meters than for those who don't – meaning neighbours with different billing methods could see different price rises. Similarly, water companies can adjust how costs are split between water and sewerage services.

Because water firms don't apply the same price increase to all customers, or to all elements of their charges, your bill is unlikely to match the published average price rise. The percentages shown in the tables above reflect the company’s overall cost increases for the year, but how these are passed on to individual households will vary.

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.
  
  Over the next five years, more than three million vulnerable households will receive additional support with their bills as part of a new funding package worth £4.1 billion. This support will be made available through social tariffs or via the Watersure scheme.