How Much Are UK Water Bills Increasing in 2026/2027?

Quick links:

• Regional differences: why your postcode affects your water rate
• What is actually driving the supplier price hikes?
• Metered vs. unmetered homes: unpacking the costs
• One Utility Bill customers
• Smart ways to lower your water usage
• Setting up and managing utilities without the stress

Water bills increased for most households on 1 April 2026. The average household bill in England and Wales is now £639 a year. That’s an increase of £33 (5.4%) compared with the previous year. That works out at around £2.70 more each month.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The exact increase you’ll see will depend on your regional water supplier. Some companies have raised bills by more than the national average, while others have raised them by less.

Keep scrolling to find out why water bills have gone up and what you can do to keep your water costs down.

Your postcode determines which water company supplies your home, and that affects how much you'll pay.

Water bills vary across the UK because each supplier faces different costs, such as local infrastructure, the number of customers they serve, and environmental challenges.

Water bill increases vary significantly depending on where you live. United Utilities customers have seen one of the largest average increases (+£57), while Thames Water customers have experienced one of the smallest (+£48).

Here's how average annual water bills changed across the main water companies in 2026/27:

Source: Water UK

Unlike gas and electricity, you can't switch water suppliers or lock in your prices with a fixed tariff. Water charges are set by your regional water company and regulated by Ofwat, the independent regulator for the water sector in England and Wales.

The government says £104 billion will be invested in the water network between 2025 and 2030, with private investment funding. According to Water UK, higher water bills are needed to help pay for upgrades to ageing infrastructure, improve water supplies and reduce sewage discharges into rivers and seas.

Every five years, Ofwat reviews how much water companies can charge. The latest review covers 2025 to 2030 and sets the prices customers pay during that period.

If you have a water meter, you only pay for the water your household uses, so using less water could help reduce your bill. Without a meter, your bill is usually based on your property's rateable value rather than your actual water usage. This means you'll pay a fixed annual charge, regardless of how much water you use.

Not sure if you’ll save money with a water meter? Check out our guide to how water meters work.

If your One Utility Bill package includes water, these price increases may affect your monthly payment.

If your payment needs to change, you’ll get plenty of notice so you know exactly what’s coming out of your account.

When price changes come into effect, you’ll be able to see your updated payment amounts on your customer dashboard.

If you have a water meter, using less water can help reduce your bills and offset future price increases.

Simple changes can help reduce your water usage:

• Take shorter showers: Cutting just a few minutes from your daily shower can save both water and the energy used to heat it. Read our Short Shower Power guide for more tips.
• Fix leaks quickly: A dripping tap or constantly running toilet is easy to miss, and can waste thousands of litres of water a year and increase your bill.
• Only run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine: Fill your machine before running a cycle. You’ll make the most of the water you do use, and use less overall!

Small changes can add up over the course of a year when you’re on a metered water supply.

Keeping track of water bill increases alongside other household bills can become overwhelming, especially if you're moving home or sharing with others.

With a One Utility Bill package, you can combine your energy, water, broadband and TV into one simple monthly payment, making it easier to budget and reducing the hassle of managing several suppliers at the same time.

If you're moving home, read our guide to setting up your utilities to get everything organised before moving day.

For any questions about changes to your monthly payment or your dashboard, our support team is always happy to help.

Get a quote today to see how One Utility Bill can make managing your household bills simpler.