Water bills to rise again from April – here's what's happening where you live

To summarise:

• In England and Wales: For 2026/27, the average forecast bill increase for water and sewerage firms is £33 (5.4%), taking a typical annual bill from £606 to £639, according to industry body Water UK. However, what you'll actually pay varies significantly depending on where you live and other factors. You'll see any changes from your April bill.
  
  In 2024, industry regulator Ofwat announced a series of bill hikes over five years, to help pay for infrastructure upgrades and customer service improvements across the sector. These rises were front-loaded, with the biggest chunk coming in last April, when the average bill rose by £123.

• In Scotland: Water and sewerage prices depend on your council tax band and are generally paid alongside your council tax. For 2026/27, the average bill will increase by £42 a year (8.7%). You'll see any changes from your April 2026 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 tables below show 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.

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.

New Water Ombudsman and regulator to be set up

Just weeks ago, the Government announced plans to create a new Water Ombudsman in England with legally binding powers to resolve consumer complaints. The Government says this means companies will face tougher requirements to respond quickly and compensate you fairly when things go wrong – though the full details are still to come.

Currently, if you have no luck complaining directly to your water company you can contact the Consumer Council for Water in England and Wales. We've long called for all Ombudsmen to have statutory powers and for ineffective ones to be stripped of their title.

Alongside this, the Government plans to introduce a new single water regulator for England, with dedicated supervisory teams for each water company to replace the current one-size-fits-all approach.

The Welsh Government's position on water reform will be set out in more detail in its forthcoming Green Paper. A joint 'transition plan' on the water industry in England and Wales is also expected to be published later this 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. See our Cut your water bills guide for more info.

• Check if you qualify for a social tariff. If you're on a low income (up to about £26,000 a year per household) or receiving certain benefits, you may be eligible for a social tariff, which can reduce your water bill by as much as 90%, whether you have a water meter or not. All water companies offer them so contact yours to find out if you're eligible.

• 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.
  
  More than 2 million households already get help with their bills through social tariffs, the Watersure scheme and other measures, according to industry trade body WaterUK, with the average discount expected to be around 40% for 2026/27.