Water companies outline support available as cost of bills is changing
Utility companies have outlined the support available for customers struggling to pay their water bills ahead of changes to costs due to come into force later this year.
Last week, Southern Water announced its average combined water supply and wastewater treatment bill is set to fall by 1.3 per cent or £5 a year in 2022/23.
The company says a typical combined bill per household is now expected to be £401.54 compared to an average charge of £406.91 for 2021/22.
South East Water did not announce how much its bills would be changing by, but simply said the average household would pay £221 a year for their tap water supply from April.
However figures from Discover Water suggest this is increasing from £214 for the current year, equating to a 3.3 per cent rise.
Southern Water currently provides more than 126,000 customers with some form of financial assistance, an increase of 21,000 since the start of the pandemic. Last year it provided more than £12.5 million worth of support.
Support offered includes payment holidays, special tariffs, debt write-offs, bill reductions and grants for household items.
The company also offers support and extra care help for those living with longterm illness, disability, the elderly and even new parents or parents with young children.
Katy Taylor, chief customer officer at Southern Water, said: “If you’re finding it hard to pay your bills due to the surging costs-of-living or for any other reason, our message is: ‘Please get in touch with us as we can help’.”
South East Water is working with councils on sharing data to identify households on low incomes so those who are eligible for the company’s social tariff, which caps costs, are automatically transferred without needing to apply.
Other initiatives include an on-going payment holiday scheme and access to virtual debt advisors as part of a free arrangement developed with the money and pension service. Further support is then given through a new breathing space scheme.
Customer services director Tanya Sephton said: “We really do encourage anyone worried about their bill to contact us as soon as possible and we’ll help find the right options for them.”