Martin Lewis’ MSE says ‘you can still save’ as water bills to rise | Personal Finance | Finance

Millions of households across England, Scotland and Wales will see their water bills increase by nearly £60 from the start of next month. But there are still ways to cut costs for millions of people, depending on their living situation, according to experts.

Water companies have been granted permission by the Water Services Regulation Authority, or Ofwat, to raise average bills by 36% over a five-year period to 2030. This means that Brits will likely see future hikes to the bills they already pay for years to come.

These increases will help fund upgrades and reduce sewage discharges, according to previous reports. But many homes will be concerned about price changes if they are already struggling to cope with rising bills for essentials such as gas, electricity, food, and more.

What will I be paying now?

Various utility companies will increase their prices to provide homes with access to running water, as listed on Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) website. Unlike energy providers, people are usually locked to one provider depending on where they live.

An exception is made for ‘non-household customers’, which can include places like businesses, charities, and public sector organisations. Since April 2017, these properties have been able to choose their water and wastewater provider.

Areas will see their 2026 bills increase by up to £57. The full list is:

Water and wastewater companies

• Anglian Water: Going from £630 to £674 (7%/£44 change)
• Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water): Going from £652 to £683 (5%/£31 change)
• Hafren Dyfrdwy: Going from £630 to ££674 (7%/£44 change)
• Northumbrian Water: Going from £581 to £635 (9%/£54 change)
• Scottish Water: Going from £490 to £532 (9%/£42 change) – Scotland’s water charges are part of your council tax bill and change according to your council tax band
• Severn Trent Water: Going from £535 to £587 (10%/£52 change)
• South West Water: Going from £701 to £740 (6%/£39 change)
• Southern Water: Going from £704 to £759 (8%/£55 change)
• Thames Water: Going from £655 to £658 (0.4%/£3 change)
• United Utilities: Going from £603 to £660 (9%/£57 change)
• Wessex Water: Going from £678 to £695 (3%/£17 change)
• Yorkshire Water: Going from £602 to £636 (6%/£34 change)

Water only (billed for sewerage separately by one of the above companies):

• Affinity Water (Central region): Going from £235 to £266 (13%/£31 change)
• Affinity Water (East region): Going from £279 to £280 (0.4%/£1 change)
• Affinity Water (South East region): Going from £291 to £294 (1%/£3 change)
• Bournemouth Water: Going from £194 to £205 (6%/£11 change)
• Bristol Water: Going from £235 to £264 (12%/£29 change)
• Essex and Suffolk Water: Going from £318 to £333 (5%/£15 change)
• Portsmouth Water: Going from £149 to £162 (8%/£13 change)
• South East Water: Going from £303 to £324 (7%/£21 change)
• South Staffs Water (Cambridge region): Going from £203 to £210 (3%/£7 change)
• South Staffs Water (South Staffs region): Going from £224 to £230 (2%/£6 change)
• Sutton & East Surrey Water: Going from £231 to £257 (11%/£26 change)

MSE says people assume that because you can’t switch water companies, you can’t save. But, by knowing if it would be worthwhile, people could stop relying on predictions and pay much less than their neighbours.

How to cut bills

There is a way for residential homes to possibly save some money, though – but it depends on the living situation at the property. People living in England and Wales could cut their monthly expenses by having a water meter fitted for free, rather than relying on the fixed amount from estimated bills.

This way, households pay for exactly what they use rather than a generalised amount. This can lead to major savings for smaller households. Martin Lewis claimed: “If there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or the same number, check out getting a meter.”

The MSE website added: “In Scotland, it’s not free to have a water meter installed (it’s actually quite pricey), so unless you live alone in a manor-type property, you should stick to estimated payments. There are no domestic water charges in Northern Ireland, so no need for a meter.”

MSE also says: “The Consumer Council for Water has a free water meter calculator that tells you if you can save with a meter. It asks questions about your water use – for example, how many people live in your home, the number of showers taken a week, your dishwasher use and what you’re paying at the moment – then tells you your estimated costs if you have a meter.

“If it’s less than what you’re paying now, you could be quids in. Alternatively, ask the water company. For a more accurate, albeit time-consuming comparison, call your water company and ask for its calculator, as this’ll be the best indicator of whether you’ll save.”

If you want to have a water meter put in, you can go to your provider’s website to check if you can apply. Usually, you’ll have to fill out an application form, or you can just call them and ask.