Water bills, a necessary expense for everyday activities like showering, washing dishes or using the toilet, are usually not too burdensome. However, Money Saving Expert has warned in its weekly email that homeowners and renters could see their monthly water costs rise by over £100 within the next five years. The amount you pay each month is determined by the size of your property and your location. But a recent proposal from water regulator Ofwat could allow water companies to hike your bill by an average of £100.
Ofwat argues that this investment will “reduce pollution, improve customer service, river and bathing water quality” and address climate change. If prices do start to climb, Money Saving Expert has offered five tips to help bill payers save money as costs escalate.
1. The BIG Saving ‘Millions in England and Wales can save £100s by switching to a free water meter?’
Water bills are calculated on how much your home would get on the rental market, not how much water you actually use. This means bigger homes will be paying more despite how much water they actually use. You can get a free water meter in England and Wales that’ll measure what your usage is and bills you accordingly.
2. Told you can’t get a meter?
Some properties like flats or others that share pipes with neighbours may be told a meter is not be advised. If this is the case, then you should ask for an ‘assessed charge bill’. This works out how much you would likely pay if you did have a meter. If it’s cheaper, get a meter, if not, then what you do currently is probably the best route.
3. On Universal Credit, benefits, or have a low household income? ‘Check out social tariffs and Water Sure’.
Social tariffs reduce what you pay by around 90% and are usually offered by all firms. MSE calculated that there is around “5.7m eligible households missing out on an estimated £160/yr”.
4. Freebies to cut your water use.
You can get your hands on freebies from water firms across the majority of the country. These freebies are designed to be money saving, especially if you have a meter. They can cut your energy bills due to a lot of water being heated.
5. Can you get a sewerage rebate?
If not all of the water you are using goes into a public sewer then you may be able to claim a rebate. It’s normally assumed the water we use creates a similar amount of sewage but if you have your own way to store or drain water like a soakaway, cesspit, pool, or in your garden, then it might be worth checking if you can get some money back.
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