As water bills are set to rise by £33 a year from April, households on low incomes or pension credit could slash their bills by up to 90 percent
Families across England and Wales are preparing for increased water bills, with the typical household facing an additional £33 annually from April. Complaints to water providers have skyrocketed by an eye-watering 50%, as cash-strapped households scramble to reduce expenses.
On BBC Morning Live broadcast on Friday, January 30, money expert Laura Pomfret shared guidance on potential savings. She emphasised that “many households can get big discounts” and stressed that “it’s really important” people verify whether they qualify for extra assistance.
Social tariff programmes offered by water companies, for instance, are specifically created to support those on modest incomes or claiming particular benefits. The finance expert, who often appears on the BBC, detailed how Southern Water customers could secure “between 45 to 90% off their water bill”, whilst Thames Water and Anglian Water might offer up to 50% reductions based on individual circumstances.
“Go to your water company website directly and check,” she recommended. “Or you could call them and ask what social tariffs you have and see if you’re eligible.”
Certain households might also be entitled to a single occupier tariff if they live alone without a water metre. Laura noted how eligibility could apply “if you’re on certain disability benefits, or if you’re State Pension age and get pension credit.”
For example, Northumbrian Water can slash bills by an impressive 40% for pension credit recipients.
Another money-saving measure is the Watersure Scheme, which limits bills for metered households receiving qualifying benefits, those with high water usage stemming from medical conditions, or families with three or more children.
Installing a water meter can also help some households reduce costs by paying only for what they consume. In England and Wales, meters should be installed free of charge.
Alternatively, customers can opt for an assessed charge, where the water company establishes a fixed fee based on household circumstances, effectively capping the bill.
Should a billing dispute emerge, however, Ms Pomfret advised that the initial step is to raise it with your water company. If the matter remains unresolved, complaints can be escalated to the Consumer Council for Water in England and Wales, or equivalent organisations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Households can also take advantage of the Warm House Discount, which offers £150 off winter energy bills for low-income households and pension credit recipients. This scheme will continue for the next five years and can help alleviate pressure on household budgets.
Laura highlighted how “£150 makes a big difference. Checking if you’re eligible and planning ahead for that is a really good thing to be doing.”
Verifying eligibility for social tariffs or schemes like Watersure can make a genuine difference to household budgets. If you believe you qualify, contact your water company or visit gov.uk to discover what support is available.
