How much are water bills going up?
Ofwat's 2024 price review set allowed revenue for 2025 to 2030. Its final determinations said average combined bills in England and Wales would rise by £157 (36%) over the five years before inflation, with large differences between companies.
Five companies (Anglian, Northumbrian, South East, Southern and Wessex) appealed. The Competition and Markets Authority's final decision of 10 March 2026 allowed an expected average increase of 2.2% on their customers' bills above Ofwat's settlement.
The price review figures are averages before inflation; actual bills each April also rise with CPIH and depend on your company, whether you have a meter and how much you use. Your own bill is set out on your company's charges scheme.
When is the next figure out?
Official statistics from Defra and the Environment Agency are pre-announced on the GOV.UK release calendar and published at 9:30am. Storm overflow EDM data usually appear in late March; bathing water classifications in November; the Environment Agency's environmental performance report and Ofwat's performance report in the autumn. Live flood and air quality data have no release schedule.
Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.
Where the figures come from
- Environment Agency, Ofwat, Defra and Met Office environmental dataWhere to find Environment Agency sewage spill and water quality data, flood APIs, Ofwat performance, Defra air quality and Met Office climate records.
Related questions
This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about water, sewage, air and climate: all Water, sewage, air and climate questions.