A supporter of Martin Lewis shared how she managed to reduce her annual water bill by £400. Jennifer, a reader of MoneySavingExpert.com, disclosed that her yearly water bill was set to exceed £800. However, upon following advice from the MoneySavingExpert (MSE) website, she explored a water social tariff option, leading to a 50% reduction in her bill.
A water social tariff offers discounted rates for water and sewerage charges, typically accessible to individuals with low income or those receiving benefits. The specifics of available support and eligibility criteria vary among water companies, with an estimated 3.8 million households potentially missing out on these benefits.
Jennifer’s success story was featured in the latest MSE newsletter, where she expressed gratitude for discovering the social tariff through MSE and obtaining a significant reduction in her bill. For instance, Affinity Water limits water bills to £143.80 annually, or £95.80 for recipients of council tax support.
To qualify for social tariffs, individuals must have an income below £19,995 excluding benefits or be recipients of specific benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Different water companies offer varying schemes, such as South East Water’s Big Difference tariff providing a 30% discount for households with incomes between £17,000 and £21,000.
The upcoming rise in water bills in England and Wales is projected to average £33 annually starting this April, representing a 5.4% increase higher than the current inflation rate. Regulator Ofwat previously permitted water companies to raise average bills by 36% over a five-year period until 2030 to support a £104 billion investment program for infrastructure and pollution prevention.
While switching water companies is not an option, there are ways to save money on water bills, such as reducing water usage. Simple habits like shortening shower times and turning off taps when not in use can contribute to significant savings. Additionally, individuals can explore free water-saving devices through platforms like Save Water Save Money and consider installing water meters to optimize usage and potentially save more money.