Amy Knight
Adam French
The water regulator, Ofwat, announced in July that bills will rise by £19 per year over the next five years – an increase of 21%.
The price hike will cost households £94 over the five years and it comes just a few months after TV and telecoms companies ramped up the cost of streaming services, internet and mobile phone contracts.
Unlike Netflix or Disney+, water isn’t something you can choose to unsubscribe from. Nor can you shop around for an alternative provider. However, there are steps you can take to tackle rising water bills.
Why is my water bill going up?
Leaking pipes and sewage scandals may be the most talked-about issues, but essential work is needed to improve water infrastructure all over the country. There is also growing pressure on water companies to demonstrate greater environmental responsibility and invest in greener technology. All of this comes at a cost.
Ofwat has approved the latest price hikes to help fund the improvements. But, conscious of affordability, the regulator knocked down the price increases by a third compared with what providers had wanted to charge.
How to work out if a water meter can cut your bill
Having a water meter means you will only be charged for the amount of water you use, plus a standing charge, similar to how a standing charge is added to energy bills.
Customers with a water meter use an average of 126 litres per person per day, compared with 177 litres used by customers without a meter according to Water UK, the trade association for the water industry. It claims customers on water meters think more about their water use, knowing that they can save money by using less.
If you don’t have a water meter, your water bill is made up of the standing charge plus an estimated usage based on the rateable value of your property. It’s assumed that your household will use a similar amount of water to households in a similar type of home.
If you’re thinking about switching to a water meter, consider how many people live in your home. Water bills are estimated based on the number of bedrooms in your house. As a rule of thumb, if you have more bedrooms than people in your home, you may be financially better off with a meter, though this isn’t guaranteed.
If you request a water meter, but your provider can’t install one, you can ask to be moved to an assessed charge. This takes into account the number of people living in your property, not just the number of bedrooms, which could help lower your bill.
Once you have a water meter in place, any additional water-saving measures you implement, such as the tips below, can help lower your water bill.
How can I use less water in the kitchen?
- Avoid leaving the tap running. Washing fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under running water can lead to savings. When out and about, use public water fountains to refill your water bottle.
- Make water work harder. Only boil the amount of water you need and use any leftover water in the kettle for washing dishes. If you have a condenser tumble drier, the water collected is not suitable for drinking, but you can use it for cleaning jobs around the home.
- Full load + eco mode. Running your washing machine or dishwasher when they’re not full is adding to your water bill unnecessarily. If your appliances have ‘eco’ settings, use them to get the maximum clean for the least water (and energy).
How can I use less water in the bathroom?
- Reduce the number, and depth, of your baths. A full bath can use up to 80 litres of water, whereas a normal five-minute shower typically uses only 45 litres. Consider taking shallower baths or making baths an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. This could also lower your energy bill, by heating less water.
- Speed up showers. Showering can account for around a quarter of household water use. Long, luxurious showers are not budget-friendly and a five-minute power shower can use almost as much water as a full bath. Use a timer to keep showers short, or make ‘the shower race’ a fun challenge for the family. Avoid turning on the shower before you step in; this wastes water and energy.
- Try water-saving gadgets. Check how long it takes your shower to fill a one-litre jug: if it’s less than six seconds, consider switching to a low-flow showerhead to reduce water usage. Installing a Cistern Displacement Device in your toilet can save up to two litres per flush. A tap aerator can cut water usage by half and can be installed on most of taps.
How can I use less water in the garden?
- Catch some rain. A water barrel can be an effective way of collecting and storing rainwater for garden use. Empty food containers do the same job on a smaller scale, so rescue these from your recycling bin to collect rainwater for indoor plants.
- Ban your own hose pipe. Using a hose can be an easy way to waste water, particularly if your hose has a high pressure. Consider a hose pressure regulator for more efficient watering, or fill a watering can with rainwater you’ve collected.
How can I get help with my water bill?
In September 2023, Citizens Advice estimated that one in four people in the UK had fallen behind on at least one bill, with inflation driving up the cost of essentials.
To help, water companies “proposed increased support for those struggling to pay, with an estimated 1.4 million more customers to pay reduced tariffs,” according to Ofwat’s 2024 price review.
If you’ve missed payments to your water company, contact its customer support team. It should explain your options for spreading the payments or switching to a different method of payment that’s easier for you. Ask your provider about affordability schemes for families on low income or people living alone.
If you think your water bills are too high for the amount you use, check for leaks. The Consumer Council for Water has an online calculator to help you estimate how much you would pay on a water meter, so you can decide whether to request one.
Image source: Getty Images
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