Massive increase in water assessed charge?

BigYinUK

Just received our 2025-26 water bill, which is an assessed charge (water supply ONLY) based on 2 people in the house, from South West Water.

It's gone up from £185 to £311.  There's a note at the top of the letter that says that the government £50 subsidy has ended.  Even taking this into account, that's a 32% increase.

This can't be correct surely?

Any words of advice before I call the water company to complain?

Thanks all

The_Groat_Counter

BigYinUK said:

Just received our 2025-26 water bill, which is an assessed charge based on 2 people in the house, from South West Water.

It's gone up from £185 to £311.  There's a note at the top of the letter that says that the government £50 subsidy has ended.  Even taking this into account, that's a 38% increase.
[...]

Small correction, £235 to £311 is a 32% increase.

Tescodealqueen

Ours has gone up by about the same percentage but now over 600 for two of us that’s in Yorkshire

tlcgrantham

Mine with Severn Trent also increased by a third. If you look at other threads you’ll notice that’s about an average increase this year. 

matelodave

Have a look here - just be thankful that you arent a Southern Water customer as you'd be looking at a 47% increase - https://www.water.org.uk/annual-average-bill-changes-2025-2026

I guess that there's not much point in complaining as you haven't been picked on for special treatment 

benny5

tlcgrantham said:

Mine with Severn Trent also increased by a third. If you look at other threads you’ll notice that’s about an average increase this year. 

I’m also with ST and so far, I’ve not had any notification of what my increase will be. They’ve continued to collect DD (today) at the same rate as last year. So I’m at a loss as to know what is happening.

SouthWestex

MY SW Water price increase is 46.41%!! I live alone in a one bedroom flat on an assessed charge. How is that fair?! Let's drum up some resistance to this nonsense. HELP!!!!

dunstonh

SouthWestex said:

MY SW Water price increase is 46.41%!! I live alone in a one bedroom flat on an assessed charge. How is that fair?! Let's drum up some resistance to this nonsense. HELP!!!!

How is it unfair?
As the £50 flat subsidy is being removed, lower users will typically experience a higher increase when viewed as a percentage.  However, those same people have had a previously higher subsidy when viewed as a percentage.