Water bills are once again increasing, attributed to the need for water companies to upgrade their infrastructure, leading to higher costs for customers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given provisional approval for five water companies in England – Anglian, South East, Northumbrian, Southern, and Wessex – to raise prices by up to 5% above the previously capped 36% increase.
To save money on water bills, consider utilizing various gadgets in your household to reduce water consumption. These gadgets include shower timers to regulate water usage and tap attachments that enhance water pressure to minimize water usage. Additionally, many water-saving items, such as cistern blocks and shower timers, are available for free to UK households.
Save Water Save Money, a national initiative, offers a simple questionnaire to claim suitable free water-saving gadgets for your region. By adopting simple habits like turning off taps when not in use, using dishwashers over handwashing, or installing a water meter, households can potentially save hundreds of pounds annually on water bills.
Installing a water meter can lead to substantial savings as you pay for the water you actually use, rather than an estimated amount based on household size. Individuals with specific needs or circumstances, such as large families or medical conditions requiring high water usage, may qualify for assistance programs like WaterSure to help manage water bills effectively.
For renters with their names on water bills, installing a water meter is a right that landlords cannot unreasonably refuse, unless there are significant obstacles preventing meter installation. By implementing water-saving practices and exploring available schemes, households can effectively reduce water costs and improve financial management.
