BILL HELP
Over 90,000 households to get automatic discount on bills this year as millions face rises
Scroll down to see a map of how much your water bill will rise based on where you live
TENS of thousands of households will see an essential bill automatically discounted this year as millions face hikes.
Around 90,000 Yorkshire Water customers will get the discount off their 2025/26 bill.
1
The help comes via the firm's WaterSupport scheme, a social tariff for hard-up households.
All water firms offer social tariffs to those on low incomes or benefits which charge reduced amounts.
Yorkshire Water says that all of its 90,000 customers on the WaterSupport tariff will automatically receive a discounted tariff next year.
For 60,000 of them, it will be a physical bill reduction - making it lower than what they have paid this past year.
Read more on Bills
This will be applied automatically and customers won't need to apply.
The average water bill for households in Yorkshire not on the Water Support scheme is rising by £135 over the next financial year.
The rise is the first of a number which will fund an £8.3billion investment programme over the next five years
Angie Markham-Nock, affordability strategy manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “The next five years are really important for us, for the environment, and for our customers, as we deliver an £8.3bn investment programme to help us meet expectations and regulatory requirements.
Most read in Money
“We know that some of our customers are struggling with their bills, and will find increases to bills unmanageable, and this is why we’ve built additional financial support into our plans."
Anyone eligible for the WaterSupport scheme will receive the discount on their water bill automatically and doesn't need to apply.
Doubling Compensation for Water Issues: Government's Big Move
If you haven't yet applied and are on a low income, you can via www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill.
You can also call 0345 1399 299 if you don't have access to the internet.
You might be eligible for WaterSupport if you live in a household with an income below £19,000 with an annual water bill over £364.
Yorkshire Water said it could not provide a figure for how much of a discount WaterSupport customers will get on their bills next financial year as it is applied based on individual household's circumstances.
If you don't live in Yorkshire, you can apply for a social tariff through your firm and save up to 90%.
Each company has its own eligibility criteria for these tariffs so whether you qualify varies based on where you live.
The latest figures from the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) reveal 1.6million low-income households are signed up to one.
To find out if you're eligible for help, visit your water company's website or call their customer service helpline.
WATER FIRMS HIKING BILLS
Water bills across England and Wales will rise by an average of £31 per year between 2025 and 2030.
This comes following a price review by the regulator Ofwat which set a limit on the amount water companies could charge customers.
Ofwat says the increases will pay for a £104billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver "substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment".
However, how much your water bill will rise depends on where you live as firms can hike prices individually.
United Utilities, which serves customers in Manchester and Liverpool, will see their bill rise by £143 over the next five years.
The average bill for customers is currently £442 but this will now rise to £585.
Meanwhile, South West Water, which covers areas such as Devon and Cornwall will see their bill increase by £113 over the next five years, from £497 currently to £610.
The firm is run by Pennon, which also bought Sutton and East Surrey Water, but customers here will see their bills reduced by 3% over the next five years.
Currently locals in this area pay £221 but this will reduce to £215 come 2030.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
You should be able to find how much your water bills are due to rise by going on your firm's website.
What water bill support is available?
IT'S always worth checking if you qualify for a discount or extra support to help pay your water bill.
Over two million households who qualify to be on discounted social water tariffs aren't claiming the savings provided, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).
Only 1.3million households are currently issued with a social water tariff - up 19% from the previous year.
And the average household qualifying for the discounted water rates can slash their bills by £160 a year.
Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you're on a low income and the CCW is calling on customers to take advantage before bills rise in April.
Who's eligible for help and the level of support offered varies depending on your water company.
Most suppliers also have a pot of money to dish out to thousands of customers who are under pressure from rising costs - and you don't have to pay it back.
These grants can be worth hundreds of pounds offering a vital lifeline when faced with daunting water bills.
The exact amount you can get depends on where you live and your supplier, as well as your individual circumstances.
Many billpayers across the country could also get help paying off water debts through a little-known scheme and even get the balance written off.
Companies match the payments eligible customers make against the debt on their account to help clear it sooner.
If you're on a water meter but find it hard to save water as you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, you may be able to cap your bills through the WaterSure scheme.
Bills are capped at the average amount for your supplier, so the amount you could save will vary.
The Consumer Council for Water estimates that bills are reduced by £307 on average through the scheme.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Topics