Report warns one million pensioner households will be in water poverty by 2029/2030 without action
Some pensioners fear flushing the toilet or having a shower because of the cost, a report has revealed.
Independent Age says many older people are already taking drastic steps in bid to keep a lid on their water bill. The release of its findings comes ahead of next week, when regulator Ofwat is expected to sanction a surge in water prices between 2025 and 2030 to enable suppliers to fund investment.
The charity projects that almost one million pensioner households will be in water poverty by 2029/2030 without action from the Government and water providers. Its research found 40% of older people in England living on a low income have taken action to reduce their water bill. When asked how, 45% said they reduced their washing machine usage, 44% the amount they were flushing the toilet, 30% were using the kettle less, and 28% were reducing how often they shower.
One person, speaking anonymously, said: “At the moment I cannot afford to flush my toilet every time I use it.” Another said: “I only shower once a week and only wash up every two to three days.” Yvonne Bailey, 79, from Oxfordshire, said: “I’m worried sick because I can manage as it is now, but if they start whacking the price up hugely, no. I’m just going to end up in water poverty, like I’m already in fuel poverty.”
Independent Age has put forward four different models for a single social tariff which it says could reduce water poverty. These include a fixed bill reduction, percentage discount, a daily block of free water and a bill cap. Joanna Elson, chief executive at Independent Age, said: “Living in water poverty means cutting down on washing, laundry, flushing the toilet and boiling the kettle. It’s not right that so many older people feel like they have no choice but to make these cutbacks.”
