Households in England and Wales will face an average £33 increase in water bills from April 2026, pushing annual costs to £639, according to Uswitch. The 5.4% rise is part of a broader 'awful April' surge in household bills, with total annual increases averaging £214.10.
Council tax accounts for the largest share at £109, followed by water (£32.40), broadband (£39.60), mobile (£27.60), and TV licence (£5.50). However, the scale of increases varies by region and provider. Severn Trent Water customers will see the biggest hike at 10%, while Thames Water bills rise just 0.4% after a 31% increase last year.
Scottish Water is raising bills by an average £42 (8.7%) to £532, while Northern Ireland has no domestic water charges. Unmetered customers in England and Wales are billed based on property rateable value; switching to a meter could save money depending on usage. Water companies offer social tariffs for low-income households.
Telecoms expert Ernest Doku noted that new Ofcom rules from January 2025 have improved transparency but not lowered costs. From April 2026, inflation-linked rises will be phased out, replaced by fixed monthly increases such as £4 for broadband and £2.50 for mobile contracts.
