Water charges rising by over four per cent

Monklands householders will see their water charges rise by 4.2 per cent from April – with utility officials warning that further increases will be needed to meet service challenges in future years.

It means water bills for 2022/2023 will range from £318.96 for properties in council tax band A up to £956.88 for those in band H, with the band D cost coming in at £478.44.

The sum is collected alongside council tax, which will be set this month, with residents in North Lanarkshire set to find out their new bills at a special assembly of the local authority tomorrow and the South Lanarkshire budget meeting scheduled for February 23.

Scottish Water say the price rise will equate to“an average bill increase of 31p per week”and that the percentage increase was set with reference to the consumer price index inflation figure as at October 2021.

Chief executive Douglas Millican said:“we understand there needs to be a balance between the need for higher levels of investment and the financial challenges faced by households at the present time.

“We have set charges at a level that takes account of those, while being open and clear that charges will need to increase further in future years.

“Higher levels of investment are needed to protect services now and over the long term, particularly in meeting the challenges of more intense rainfall, flooding and drought, and reducing carbon emissions.”

Charges will also increase by 4.2 per cent for licensed providers who supply businesses and other non-domestic customers.