Rutland Hit by Biggest Water Bill Rise in the UK
It's as Severn Trent hikes prices by 10% this year
Households in Rutland are set for the largest water bill increase in the country, as Severn Trent hikes prices by ten per cent this year.
The company, which supplies water to thousands across the region, says customers will now pay an average of five hundred and eighty seven pounds a year—fifty two pounds more than last year.
Despite the jump, Severn Trent insists its bills remain among the lowest nationally.
A spokesperson said: “Our bills remain the second lowest in the country, seventy three pounds below the national average for water and waste services and one hundred and seventy two pounds lower than the highest bill."
“We know however, bills rising can be worrying, so we want our customers to know there’s help if they need it."
"By 2030, we plan to be helping around one in six households with some form of financial support."
"This includes a discount on bills of up to three hundred and ninety pounds if customers are eligible, and debt support.”
The company also revealed it is spending eight million pounds a day on improvements, including new pipes, water sources, river health, and creating new jobs as part of a fifteen billion pound Midlands investment.
Neighbouring Anglian Water will also raise prices, but by a smaller seven per cent. Residents there will pay around six hundred and seventy four pounds a year—a forty four pound increase—making it one of the highest bills in the country.
Don Maher, Anglian’s customer services director, said: “We do everything we can to keep our bills affordable, and water bills are still one of the cheapest household bills."
"But delivering the services and environmental protections that we know customers expect to see does mean we need to spend more on that infrastructure today."
“We know money is tight for many people at the moment, and we want our customers to know that we’re here to help. We help more than three hundred thousand people every year with support that’s tailored to their needs.”
Nationally, Water UK chief executive David Henderson added: “We understand increasing bills is never welcome, but the money is needed to fund vital upgrades to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.
“While we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult. That is why we will help around two and a half million households – more than ever before – with average discounts of around forty per cent off their water bill.”
Severn Trent customers struggling to pay their bills are encouraged to contact the Bill Help Hub, while Anglian customers can reach out to the Extra Care Team for support.