60% rise in monthly billing - WaterSure Wales

jazzy

I just got my monthly water bill, and wow, it shot up by about 60%! I used to pay £36 a month, but now it’s £57.50. I’m on the WaterSure Wales tariff because we get pension credit and have some medical conditions that mean we need to use more water. I contacted Welsh Water to ask why my bill jumped so much instead of just the 4.8% increase they mentioned for 2026. To my surprise, they asked me what I wanted to pay, which felt like negotiating a new monthly rate. The representative suggested £45 a month, which seemed like a better deal at first. But then I realised that’s still a 26% increase from last year! I’ve now filed a complaint because this rise is way above their annual price hike.

I really don’t get why these water companies are willing to negotiate on monthly bills. Is this how it usually works?

PinkPig

There isn’t enough information in your post to be certain why your bill has increased more than 4.8% but it may be because:

• you were paying too little historically, and now have to increase your payments to cover a build-up of debt
• the watersure tariff caps your bill at the average metered usage in your area, which might have increased (separately to the 4.8% cost of water increase)
• your billed usage may have increased - although watersure caps your usage, maybe you were in fact previously using less water than the average in your area

alternatively the proposed payment may be an error!

When the water company agrees a lower monthly payment, they are probably not ‘negotiating’ in the way you think they are - a lower payment doesn’t change what you are billed and may just result in a build-up of debt.

jazzy

My account has always been in balance, when I contacted them yesterday, they told me that the new rate of £45 a month wouldn’t affect my balance. I hope this is just a mix-up, and I’ll have to wait to see how my complaint unfolds. It’s a bit strange, though, since I was billed £57.50 for February. I thought the new rates were set to start on 1st April?

Lorian

The Bill Cap - WaterSure Wales charge from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 is £532.27 

 (£218.28 for water, £313.99 for sewerage).

I make that a max of £45 per month as you say you qualify, assuming they take 12 DD a year

Rises to about £48 per month from April.

But check if you qualify for the helpU tariff which is less. https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/help-with-your-bills/helpu-tariff

dunstonh

I just got my monthly water bill, and wow, it shot up by about 60%! I used to pay £36 a month, but now it’s £57.50.

You said your bill has gone up 60%. However, you haven't mentioned your bill. Just the direct debit about. The bill and the direct debt amount are two different things.

. To my surprise, they asked me what I wanted to pay, which felt like negotiating a new monthly rate.

They are asking you on the assumption you know what you are usage is going to be. The rate wont be any different because of the direct debit amount and the billing wont be any different either.

 The representative suggested £45 a month, which seemed like a better deal at first. 

Its not a deal. They haven't changed any pricing.

 I’ve now filed a complaint because this rise is way above their annual price hike.

Again, the direct debit amount has nothing to do with that unless the amount you were paying accurately reflected your billing. if it didn't then £x of the direct debit is likely to be going towards arrears. Your bill will tell you if you are in credit or arrears.