A supporter of Martin Lewis shared how she managed to reduce her annual water bill by £400. Jennifer, a reader of MoneySavingExpert.com, discovered that her yearly bill was set to exceed £800. Following guidance from the website, she explored a water social tariff option and learned she could cut her bill by half.
A water social tariff is a discounted rate for water and sewerage charges, typically accessible to low-income individuals or those receiving benefits. The specific assistance 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 MoneySavingExpert newsletter. She expressed her gratitude for the 50% reduction in her water bill after applying for the social tariff. Different water companies offer various support schemes, such as Affinity Water capping bills at £143.80 annually for eligible individuals.
To qualify for social tariffs, individuals must have an income below £19,995 (excluding benefits) or be recipients of certain benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit. For instance, South East Water provides a 30% discount for households earning between £17,000 and £21,000, with a 50% reduction for incomes below £17,000.
Water bills in England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £33 annually starting this April, representing a 5.4% rise, higher than the current inflation rate. Water companies were authorized to raise average bills by 36% over five years to fund a significant infrastructure investment to prevent sewage spills.
While switching water companies is not possible, there are ways to save money, like using water more efficiently. Simple actions like reducing shower time and fixing leaks can lead to significant savings. Additionally, individuals can obtain free water-saving devices from organizations like Save Water Save Money and consider installing a water meter for potential cost savings.
