A supporter of Martin Lewis shared how she managed to slash £400 annually from her water bill. Jennifer, a reader of MoneySavingExpert.com, discovered that her yearly bill was on track to exceed £800. Upon exploring advice on the MSE website, she delved into a water social tariff and uncovered a potential 50% reduction in her bill.
A water social tariff is a discounted rate for water and sewerage charges typically accessible to individuals with low incomes or those receiving benefits. Eligibility criteria and available support vary among water companies, with an estimated 3.8 million households potentially missing out on these benefits.
Jennifer’s success story was highlighted in the recent MSE newsletter, where she expressed gratitude for the 50% reduction she secured through the social tariff application. Affinity Water, for instance, offers capped water bills at £143.80 annually or £95.80 for recipients of council tax support.
To qualify for such assistance, individuals must have an income below £19,995 (excluding benefits) or be recipients of specific benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Water companies like South East Water provide discounts through schemes like the Big Difference tariff, offering a 30% reduction for households with incomes between £17,000 and £21,000, and a 50% reduction for those earning less than £17,000.
Thames Water’s WaterHelp tariff, on the other hand, grants a 50% discount if water bills exceed 5% of the recipient’s net income. In England and Wales, water bills are set to increase by an average of £33 annually starting in April, representing a 5.4% hike compared to the current inflation rate of 3.4%.
Regulator Ofwat has approved water companies to raise average bills by 36% by 2030 to fund a £104 billion investment program ensuring infrastructure improvements and preventing sewage spills. Although switching water companies isn’t an option, implementing simple water-saving practices like reducing shower time and fixing leaks can lead to significant savings.
Consider exploring free water-saving devices through Save Water Save Money, which may include water-regulating shower heads and tap inserts. Additionally, installing a water meter, especially if your household has more bedrooms than occupants, as suggested by Martin Lewis, could contribute to saving costs.