Households in England and Wales have been overcharged by an estimated £2,100 over the past 30 years due to above-inflation water bill rises, according to a MailOnline analysis. The average annual bill for 2024/25 is £473, but if bills had risen in line with inflation, they would be £406.
The analysis, based on Ofwat data, found that United Utilities implemented the highest above-inflation rises, totalling £3,900 per customer. Other firms with significant increases include Wessex Water (£3,100), Yorkshire Water (£2,750), Thames Water (£2,700), and Southern Water (£2,650). Anglian Water had the lowest above-inflation rises at £350.
Campaigners have criticised water companies for raising bills while failing to address sewage pollution. Henry Swithinbank of Surfers Against Sewage said: 'Water company executives and shareholders continue to pocket millions while sewage infrastructure crumbles and the public are left to foot the bill.' He called for 'transformational reform' of the water system.
Ofwat recently fined Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, and Northumbrian Water nearly £170 million for failing to tackle sewage discharges. Under new proposals, bills are set to rise by another £94 by 2029/30, despite firms' requests for larger increases being denied.
Water UK argued that bills have fallen by about £60 in real terms over the past decade. However, Charles Watson of River Action urged firms to suspend dividend payments instead of burdening customers, noting that £1.4 billion was paid to shareholders last year.
