Starting 1 April 2026, households across England, Scotland and Wales will face a new round of water bill increases. Water prices vary depending on your location, so use our calculator below to find out how much more you’ll have to pay this year.

Quick summary:

• For this year (2026-2027), the average forecasted water and wastewater bill increase is £33, taking the typical yearly bill from £606 to £639, a 5.4% increase. That is equivalent to about an extra £2.75 per month.
• This marks the second year of a controversial five-year investment cycle regulated by Ofwat.
• While the industry argues these funds are essential for fixing a “dangerously fragile” infrastructure, the announcement has sparked renewed debate.
• Water bills in Scotland are also increasing; see our article on Scottish Water’s water bill increase for more information.

How much more exactly will you have to pay?

According to industry body Water UK, the average annual bill for water and sewerage will rise by 5.4%, or roughly £33. This brings the typical annual household bill to approximately £639.

However, because water companies operate as regional monopolies, your specific increase depends entirely on where you live.

You can use our water bill calculator below to find out how much you’ll be paying, or you can find more information from our list of increases by water company below:

Full list of water bill increases by water company

Why are water bills going up?

Water bills are increasing primarily due to the need to fund a massive, long-overdue overhaul of the UK’s water infrastructure. Following decades of underinvestment, the industry is now in the middle of a record-breaking £104 billion investment cycle that is being funded mostly by customer bills.

Here are a few reasons why this funding is urgently needed:

• Sewage crisis: a big portion of this increase is to reduce storm overflow spills. Untreated sewage entering rivers and the ecosystem has led to a mandate for water providers to upgrade storm overflows and increase capacity for wastewater treatment.
• Replacing old infrastructure: The UK’s pipe network is ageing and fragile, with thousands of miles of leaky pipes needing to be replaced. Smart meters need to be installed so leakages can be detected early.
• The cost of energy and chemicals required to treat and pump water has risen significantly

“We understand increasing bills is never welcome, but the money is needed to fund vital upgrades to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.” David Henderson, Water UK’s chief executive, said.

How are water bill increases calculated?

In the UK, water bills are made up of different costs, decided by water companies following Ofwat’s guidelines, meaning the increase will always be within the agreed average price range for the year. In the UK, the economic regulator Ofwat uses a formula RPI ± K (or more recently CPIH ± K) to set the maximum amount water companies can charge. This means:

• It sets a cap (similar to the energy price cap) a company can increase (or must decrease) its charges above or below inflation.
• Each company has a specific K factor determined every five years during a “Price Review”
• If a company needs significant funds to improve infrastructure (eg, new pipes or sewage treatment facilities), it may be granted a +K factor. If they are expected to become more efficient, they will be given a minus -K factor.

Each water company can also decide on how to charge customers, and the degree of increase for each type of customer. For example, customers with different billing methods, or those with water meters, may be charged more than those without.

How is my water bill calculated?

The amount you pay for water usage can vary depending on several factors, such as the region you live in, the type of property you have, and your water consumption habits.

If you have a water meter, your bills are calculated based on the amount of water you consume, which is measured in cubic meters.

If you don’t have a water meter, you will be charged based on unmetered charges. This means your bills are calculated using a yearly fixed amount and a charge that depends on your property’s value.

Read more about how water bills are calculated here

What can I do to lower my bills?

The hike has been met with significant pushback from consumer advocates and environmental groups. Critics argue that for decades, water companies prioritised shareholder dividends and executive bonuses over essential maintenance.

For households feeling the squeeze, the Consumer Council for Water, which represents customers (CCW) suggests three immediate steps to mitigate costs:

• Check eligibility for regional discounted tariffs.
• Install a smart meter – many homes find that switching to a smart water meter reduces bills, especially in smaller households.
• Check if you are owed a sewerage rebate.
• Cutting usage – simple habits, such as setting time limits on showers, can lead to measurable savings.

“A stronger safety net is also needed for those who simply can’t afford these bill rises. The postcode lottery of financial assistance created by existing water company social tariffs is unfair and unsustainable in the face of rising water bills.” Mike Keil, the CCW’s chief executive, said.