380,000 more households turn to social tariffs to ease water bill pressures

Almost 380,000 more households received lower water bills through water companies’ social tariff schemes in 2025-26, according to annual figures from the Consumer Council for Water.

Data published alongside CCW’s Water Mark report shows water companies across England and Wales helped around 2.3 million customers through social tariffs – up 19% on the previous year. The value of this support also grew considerably, with customers who received help seeing an average annual bill reduction of £258, compared to £190 during the previous 12 months.

But with the average water and sewerage bill having risen by around 34% since April 2025, CCW has warned the growth in support, while welcome, is not targeted or consistent enough to ensure everyone who needs help receives it.

A study published by CCW in the summer estimated around 1.8 million households in England and Wales were living in water poverty, before the impact of the record water bill rises took hold. Water poverty is commonly defined as households spending more than 5% of their income after housing costs on water bills.

CCW has warned this number may not fall unless a new single social tariff for England and Wales is introduced to provide a stronger safety net.

This should replace the existing postcode lottery of different water company schemes, which sees the level of support and those eligible for help vary considerably across the country.

The latest data shows the average bill reductions provided through the main water and sewerage companies’ existing social tariff schemes ranged from £159 to £474 a year.

Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, said:

Support from water companies is rising but so are water bills and the commitment water companies in England made to end water poverty by 2030 now looks like it has evaporated.

It is unfair and unsustainable to have a postcode lottery approach to helping customers who cannot afford their water bill. A national single social tariff for water would provide peace of mind to households at the sharp end of cost-of-living pressures.

Other support is available through schemes like WaterSure. More than 273,400 metered customers, in receipt of income-related benefits, secured an average bill reduction of £428 through the bill-capping scheme. To be eligible, customers must either have a large family or a member of the household with a medical condition which requires a lot of water use.

Many water companies also provide help through debt write-off schemes, hardship funds and other forms of financial assistance.

People worried about rising costs might also want to consider:

Trial a water meter – Two-thirds of households in England and Wales now have a water meter, according to CCW’s latest Water Mark data. But if you don’t have a meter, you could still benefit from making the switch. Not everyone will reduce their bill but some households find they can save hundreds of pounds. And unless you live in a region where metering is compulsory, you can trial a meter for up to two years and switch back during that time if you’re unhappy. CCW’s water meter calculator can help you work out if a meter could save you money.

Save water, save energy, save money – Much of the water we use in the home comes from the hot tap. That means if you have a water meter you can double up on water and energy savings too. For example, if every person in a family of four reduced their daily shower time by two minutes they could save just over £200 a year (water and energy combined).

CCW’s Help with Bills hub is packed full of tips, tools and advice including a guide to water companies’ social tariff schemes.

CCW has published a broad range of information on water companies’ performance on our Water Mark page. It provides an at-a-glance comparison of how water companies rank on the service areas that matter most to consumers.

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Notes to editors

• More information on water companies’ performance can be found via CCW’s latest Water Mark page. Full data appendices is also available (Excel).