Scottish Water customers will see bills rise in April 2026, the publicly owned organisation has confirmed. The increase will go towards maintaining and improving water infrastructure, in order to keep costs low in the long term.
Despite the increase, households in Scotland will still pay some of the lowest water bills anywhere in the UK.
How much will Scottish Water bills increase?
Water bills will increase by 8.67% on April 1st, and remain at that level for the 2026/27 financial year. An average household will pay £532 a year or around £44.33 a month – an increase of £42 a year from current prices.
The increase will fund continued investment and repairs in Scotland’s water infrastructure. Scotland has just seen the driest start to the year in more than 60 years, and drought, along with other extreme weather conditions, is taking a toll on ageing pipes and treatment facilities.
Scottish Water’s chief executive Alex Plant assured customers that ‘as a publicly owned organisation every penny our customers pay goes into improving services for people in Scotland – from tackling ageing pipes, to responding to ever more extreme weather, to enabling new homes to be built’, and that ‘sustainable investment now protects customers from higher costs in the future.’
The actual amount you pay will depend on a number of factors, including if your property i s metered or unmetered. Metered homes are billed based on the amount of water that they consume. Unmetered homes pay a fixed amount based on the Council Tax band of the property. You can find more information about exactly how much you’ll pay here.
Why are water bills in Scotland different to the rest of the UK?
Unlike other UK water suppliers, Scottish Water is a publicly owned company. This means it does not aim to generate a profit for investors, instead reinvesting customer money in continuously improving services.
As calls for other UK water companies – especially Thames Water – to re-enter public ownership grow louder, Scottish Water serves as an example of what a nationalised water service would look like in England and Wales.
In practical terms, the major difference for Scottish Water customers is that they pay for water services as part of a Council Tax bill, rather than as a separate service.
Top tip! Make sure you’re registered for all your essential services with the right supplier – just book a quick, free call with Please Connect Me and get everything sorted.
Can I change water suppliers in Scotland?
No, as with the rest of the UK, you can’t choose your water supplier if you live in Scotland. This is because every household is supplied by the same company, Scottish Water.
Elsewhere, in England and Wales, your supplier is determined by which region you live in. Suppliers operate and maintain the infrastructure in a particular area, so you can’t shop around and compare as you would for energy or broadband.
How much will the rest of the UK pay for water from April?
Other suppliers are also expected to raise bills in April. Between 2025 and 2030, water companies in the UK plan to invest £96bn in upgrading existing water systems and improving supply. Much of this will be funded through customer bills, with the average household seeing a predicted increase of £156 a year, across the five-year period.
How can I save on my water bill?
If you have a water meter fitted, you can cut your bill by reducing how much water you use. There are lots of simple ways to do this, from installing a few handy water-saving gadgets around the house to changing your habits in the bathroom, kitchen and garden.
Remember that saving hot water will also save you money on your energy bills, so it’s a win-win!
