All of the water companies in England and Wales have now announced their charges for 2015/16 - average bills across England and Wales are set to fall by an average of 2% (£9) this year.
This follows Ofwat’s December announcement that average bills are set to decrease, before adjustments for inflation, between 2015 and 2020.
Commenting on the announcement, Cathryn Ross, Ofwat Chief Executive, said:
“Recent years have seen households struggle, with the rising cost of living stretching many budgets to the limit. These bill reductions will help. And although customers will be paying less, they will be getting more. From cleaner beaches to fewer supply interruptions, companies will really need to stretch themselves to further improve service. Companies have a tough job ahead. They will only build trust and confidence with their customers if they deliver on their promises.”
Water UK, the body which represents all of the UK water companies, said that during 2015/16 companies will provide a package of measures worth more than £40 million to support customers struggling to pay or in debt. Measures include trust funds, debt matching and write-off schemes, debt advice and water efficiency measures to help customers on meters reduce their bills.
By April, 14 out of the 18 companies in England and Wales will also have social tariffs available for customers to reduce their bills. The other companies either intend to have social tariffs in place in 2016 or are currently consulting their customers about introducing a tariff scheme.
Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK, said:
"Water companies understand the pressures their customers are under and are delivering lower bills and even more support for struggling households.
"Meanwhile, investment in the services their customers want will continue so that our drinking water remains the best in the world and our beaches and rivers are kept cleaner than ever."
Over the next five years, average water and waste water bills will continue to fall. To keep customers' bills down in this period, the amount the companies provide to their debt and equity investors, who the sector relies on to fund investment in high-quality services to customers, will be reduced.
The companies will still invest more than £44bn during AMP6 to deliver their customers' priorities, including preventing leaks and supply interruptions and better sewage treatment to help keep rivers, coasts and beaches clean.
In a TV show that will explain the complex journey of the wastewater treatment process, Lakeside Equipment Corporation is set to feature in US Public Television’s All Access program with Andy Garcia.
Environmental Services & Solutions (ESS) Expo, the UK’s largest environmental event, has released the full speaker programme for its 2025 event, which now features seven shows spanning all corners of the environmental sector, under one roof at the NEC Birmingham.
We are exhibiting at WWEM – Water, Wastewater and Environmental Management Expo, which is one of the eight exhibitions taking place at the NEC, Birmingham 17-18 September 2025 as part of ESS Expo 2025. Please come along and visit us at Stand WW-S60.
Publication of the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report, alongside new legislation and updated national standards, marks a major turning point in the wider adoption of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) by water companies and developers, according to Alex Stephenson, director, SuDSPlanter.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video. 
What is to be done about the UK’s failing utilities? Listen to Professor Dieter Helm explore the options to tackle the UK’s failing utilities – Thames Water, the Royal Mail and Network Rail in particular.