75% Increase

Colour_Me_Gone

Without warning South West Water increased our monthly direct debit by 75% despite my account having always been in credit. On the telephone the only reasons given were "based on average consumption" and the government taking away the £50 subsidy. I reluctantly agreed to an increase of 34% per month on the understanding that I would increase or decrease the monthly direct debit based of future bills. Even this increase is outragious for two pensioners. Something needs to be done!

QrizB

Are you metered?

If you are, have you checked your consumption?

If not, why not?

DE_612183

SWW has increased by about 28% - so when you say "my account has always been in credit" - what was the balance on the bill prior to the increase?

Also do you pay by rateable value or meter?

Grumpy_chap

Colour_Me_Gone said:

Without warning South West Water increased our monthly direct debit by 75% despite my account having always been in credit. On the telephone the only reasons given were "based on average consumption" and the government taking away the £50 subsidy. I reluctantly agreed to an increase of 34% per month on the understanding that I would increase or decrease the monthly direct debit based of future bills. Even this increase is outragious for two pensioners. Something needs to be done!

The increase in water charges are overseen by OFWAT and, this year, the increases across the board are high.

Are you on a water meter?
Do you have any unpaid consumption from previous years that is being caught up with?

I do not know which £50 subsidy you refer to.

There are issues with the way the water companies have operated financially.  That is some of the impact to the bills.

There is also a big issue that "we", the wider society as expressed through vocal media channels also want ever cleaner water supplied to drink and ever cleaner water discharged from sewers back into the environment.  All this comes at a cost.  There are parameters now that have to be so tight, only a few years back the instruments did not exist to even measure down to the discharge limits.  There are also rules for contaminants that never existed, such as PFAS.  All more cost to achieve.

If you consider that the balance between cost paid for water supply and disposal versus the tighter standards is not at the place it should be, the route to raise the concerns would be via your MP.

Billxx

I am on a meter with Anglian Water.  My consumption has not increased but in line with a lot of others my bill has increased by about 25%.

dunstonh

 Even this increase is outragious for two pensioners. Something needs to be done!

How is it outrageous?   Why does anything need to be done?

The removal of the subsidy would, by default, create bigger increases in percentage terms for lower users.   However, the subsidy benefited lower users more in percentage terms while it existed.    You cannot have it both ways.

"based on average consumption"

If you don't have a meter, then increases are generally higher.   If you are on a meter, then you should know your consumption and pay accordingly.