Household water and sewerage bills in England and Wales are set to rise by an average of 5.4% from 1st April 2026, according to the latest figures from industry body Water UK. The increase will add approximately £33 to the typical annual bill, bringing the average yearly cost to £639.
The price hike comes as the water industry enters the second year of a record £104 billion investment programme running until 2030. While the national average increase is around £2.70 per month, the impact on your personal water bill will depend heavily on where you live and which company supplies your water.
David Henderson, chief executive of Water UK, said: “While we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult. That is why we will help around 2.5 million households - more than ever before - with average discounts of around 40 per cent off their water bill.”
Why are my water bills going up?
Water UK said increased charges are being used to fund significant upgrades to the UK's ageing water infrastructure, with around £20 billion being invested in 2026/27 alone. Key focus areas for this investment include:
- Reducing sewage spills - Cutting discharges from storm overflows into rivers and seas by 30%
- Upgrading pipes - Replacing thousands of kilometres of old, leaking pipes to reduce supply disruptions
- Water resilience - Building new reservoirs and infrastructure to secure future water supplies
- Smart metering - Installing over 8 million water meters by 2027 to help households manage their usage
The water regulator, Ofwat, projected back in December 2024 that the average water bill would go up by 36% over the next five years, amounting to an annual increase of around £157 (before inflation) by 2030. Ofwat, has ensured that money raised through bills is ringfenced for these improvements. If companies fail to deliver on their environmental and service commitments, they may be required to return money to customers through lower bills in the future.
Average water bill changes for 2026/2027
Not all water companies will increase bills by the same amount. The overall price cap for the next five years is determined by the regulator. As such, while some suppliers are raising prices by up to 13% in 2026/2027, others, including Thames Water, will raise them by only 0.4%.
If you're interested in how much your specific supplier is likely to charge the average household in 2026/2027, see the tables below.
Water and wastewater companies - Bill changes for 2026/2027
| Company name | Average annual bill in 2025/2026 | Change in £ | Percentage change |
| Anglian Water | £674 | £44 | 7% |
| Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water) | £683 | £31 | 5% |
| Hafren Dyfrdwy | £635 | £54 | 9% |
| Northumbrian Water | £535 | £31 | 6% |
| Severn Trent Water | £587 | £52 | 10% |
| South West Water | £740 | £39 | 6% |
| Southern Water | £759 | £55 | 8% |
| Thames Water | £658 | £3 | 0.4% |
| United Utilities | £660 | £57 | 9% |
| Wessex Water | £695 | £17 | 3% |
| Yorkshire Water | £636 | £34 | 6% |
Source: water.org.uk
Water-only companies - Bill changes for 2026/2027
| Company name (Region) | Average annual bill in 2025/2026 | Change in £ | Percentage change |
| Affinity Water [Central region] | £266 | £31 | 13% |
| Affinity Water [East region] | £280 | £1 | 0.4% |
| Affinity Water [South east region] | £294 | £3 | 1% |
| Bournemouth Water | £205 | £11 | 6% |
| Bristol Water | £264 | £29 | 12% |
| Essex and Suffolk Water | £333 | £15 | 5% |
| Portsmouth Water | £162 | £13 | 8% |
| South East Water | £324 | £21 | 7% |
| South Staffs Water [Cambridge region] | £210 | £7 | 3% |
| South Staffs Water [South Staffs region] | £230 | £6 | 2% |
| Sutton & East Surrey Water | £257 | £26 | 11% |
Source: water.org.uk
What to do if you're struggling with your household bills
Further increases in household bills will be a concern for many. However, a range of support is available for those finding it difficult to keep up with rising costs.
- Social Tariffs - Every water company offers a social tariff for customers on low incomes, which can reduce bills by up to 90% in some cases.
- WaterSure Scheme - If you have a water meter, receive certain benefits, and use a lot of water for medical reasons or because you have a large family, your bill could be capped by registering with the WaterSure scheme.
- Payment Holiday - Many suppliers offer temporary payment breaks or flexible payment plans if you are facing a short-term financial crisis.
- Water Meter - For many households, switching to a water meter can lead to significant savings as you only pay for the amount you use. As a general rule, if there are more bedrooms in your house than people, a meter could save you money.
If you are worried about your bills, the best first step is to contact your water supplier directly to discuss your options. Additionally, have a look at our article on how to save money on your water bills and what to do if you're struggling to pay them. It provides several tips that can lower your overall bill.
If you're struggling with general household bills, take a look at our article where we discuss how to save money on a variety of household bills including gas and electric, council tax, and even mobile, TV & broadband.
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