Millions of UK households could be missing out on an average of £190 a year in water bill support, according to free money advice service Money Wellness. The warning comes as five water companies have been told they can increase charges between 2027 and 2030, while Ofwat considers plans to fund an extra £3.4billion of investment.
Rising debt and bills
New figures from Money Wellness indicate that people seeking help with water debt owed an average of £1,163 in the year leading up to June 2026. This represents a 6% increase from £1,097 two years earlier and is nearly twice the current average annual water bill of £639.
Water bills are set to increase again for millions of households next year, but people already struggling to pay could be missing out on support.
Social tariffs and support schemes
Every water company has a social tariff for eligible customers on a low income. Last year, nearly two million households received support through these tariffs, with bills reduced by an average of £190. However, millions more are not aware that the schemes exist.
Sebrina McCullough, director of external relations at Money Wellness, said: “Water debt can be very easy to put to the back of the queue. You can't have your water cut off because you haven't paid, so it can feel less urgent than some of the other bills coming through the door.
“But the debt doesn't disappear. By the time people come to us for help, they're carrying an average of £1,163. And with water bills going up again, it's more important than ever that people check whether they're getting all the help they're entitled to.”
Ms McCullough added: “We speak to people who have been struggling with their water bill without realising there may be help available.
“The rules are different depending on which water company you're with, so it's worth checking rather than assuming you won't qualify. If you're on a low income or your circumstances have changed, don't just carry on paying the full bill without checking.”
The WaterSure scheme is also available and can help some metered customers who use more water due to a large family or certain medical conditions. Around 260,800 households currently receive the support. Some water companies also offer payment breaks or schemes that match payments towards arrears, helping customers reduce what they owe.
What to do if you're struggling
Water companies in England and Wales cannot shut off a household's water supply for non-payment of bills, but this doesn't mean that the debt goes away. A water company can refer an unpaid account to a debt collection agency and, in some cases, may take legal action against the customer.
The first step is to contact your water company, Money Wellness suggests. Ask whether you qualify for its social tariff or any other support scheme. If you're already behind, ask what options are available to help you deal with the arrears. If you're struggling with more than just your water bill, don't try to tackle each debt separately.
Ms McCullough said: “If water is one of several bills you're struggling with, it's important to look at the whole picture. You may be able to reduce some of your bills or get help that you didn't know you were entitled to. The earlier you ask for help, the more options you usually have.”
