Household water bills to rise by from April

Residents in Newtown will see a largest increase to their water bills April when they rise to an average £372 a year.

The current average household bill for water and sewerage in Newtown is £331 a year, but this will be increasing to £372 a year according to supplier, Hafren Dyfrdwy

The average household bill for water and sewerage in 2023-24 will be around £372 per year or just £1.02 per day. According to Hafren Dyfrdwy, that’s the lowest combined bill in the UK.

Consumer groups warned the rise, could prove the tipping point for the one in five customers already struggling to pay.

But industry body, Water UK argued that water bills remained lower in real terms than they were a decade ago and said this year’s increase reflected higher energy costs, with water firms using around 2% of the nation’s electricity.

Firms were set to invest a further £70 billion to “eliminate harm” from storm overflows and increase water supplies by building new reservoirs and national water transfer schemes, it said, adding that they were “acutely aware of the impact of price rises on lower income and vulnerable customers” and had recently increased the level of support they offered by more than £200 million.

Water UK director of policy Stuart Colville said:

“With an average increase of around 60p a week, most customers will again see a below-inflation increase in their water bill. However, we know that any increase is unwelcome, particularly at the moment.

“That is why companies are also releasing an extra £200 million to help those that may be struggling.

“Anyone with worries should contact their water company or go to supportontap.org for advice, and it’s worth remembering that water companies will never cut anyone off, or make them use a prepayment meter.

“Next year’s bills will support what is already the highest level of investment on record, with a further £70 billion set to be spent over coming years on building new reservoirs and ending overflows into rivers.”

The full charges scheme for 2023-2024 can be found here - https://www.hdcymru.co.uk/content/dam/hdcymru/my-account/our-charges/2023/HD_WALES_HH_End%20User%20Charges%20Scheme%202023_24.pdf