Almost one in five households had difficulty paying their water bill in the past year, according to Citizens Advice. The charity’s survey, conducted in early August, found that 21% of those unable to pay ended up in debt to their supplier. The results come after the largest one-year rise in water charges since the industry was privatised.

More than 40% of those struggling had to cut back on essentials, with 42% reducing spending on groceries and energy. About 35% were rationing water, for example by shortening showers, limiting toilet flushes, or washing clothes less often. The average water and sewerage bill rose from under £500 to more than £600 a year after the January price increase. Since April, households have faced a front-loaded rise of about £86 (20%) in the coming year, with smaller increases planned for the next four years. When inflation is taken into account, the 2025-26 bill is set to rise by £123 (26%).

Citizens Advice notes that the sector has pledged a five-year programme of investment to improve services and the river and coastal environment, but higher bills since April have caused difficulties for about 31% of those affected. The charity cautions that while cutting back on water use helps, it is concerned about the extent of rationing. Of those reducing water use, 75% have cut bathing or showers, 63% have limited toilet flushes and 77% have washed clothes less often. The organisation calls for a single social tariff for households on low incomes, arguing that current tariffs amount to a postcode lottery and that support should be automatic for those in need. Water UK said that while bill rises are not welcome, investment is needed and companies are boosting support with £4.1 billion over five years, and Defra said the government is expanding social tariffs from 4% to 9% of customers and reviewing schemes to ensure vulnerable users are helped. Mike Keil, chief executive of CCW, said that people should be able to use water without worrying about costs, and that April’s rises have intensified hardship. He noted that many households are turning to CCW with complaints about bills, and stressed the need for a single, fair tariff to replace the postcode lottery, to ensure automatic support for those spending more than 5% of income on water.