HOUSEHOLD water bills in Wales are set to soar, making them the highest in England and Wales, sparking fierce criticism from Welsh MP David Chadwick. The increase will see Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) bills rise from an average of £455 this year to £645 in five years, marking a staggering 42% hike.
The increases are front-loaded, with households facing an average jump of £86—or 20%—in the next year alone, excluding inflation. Smaller increases will follow over the subsequent four years, bringing the total rise to £157, or 36%, by 2029/30.
Customers of Wales’ other major water provider, Hafren Dyfrdwy, will see their bills climb from £392 to £557 over the same period—a 42% increase, though their charges remain significantly lower than Welsh Water’s.
Fury over escalating costs and environmental failures
David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, slammed the rises, calling them “the final nail in the coffin” for regulator Ofwat. He criticised the organisation as a “toothless, defunct financial regulator” that has allowed water companies to “pump gallons of disgusting sewage into Welsh waters”.
He added: “It is an absolute outrage that customers have had to foot the bill in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis for the mess that water companies have created under the previous Conservative Government’s watch.
“Welsh customers already have some of the highest water bills and have seen some of the steepest increases in recent years, all while Welsh Water has one of the poorest environmental records. It is, quite frankly, a joke.
“Increases in bills will be money down the plughole unless water companies are held to account. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have led the campaign against sewage, calling for a new financial regulator for the sector, a better-resourced Natural Resources Wales and an end to executive bonuses.”
National comparisons and industry justifications
The increases mean Welsh Water will become the most expensive water company in England and Wales, while Hafren Dyfrdwy will remain the cheapest.
Average current and future bills:
- Now:
- Wessex Water: £508
- South West Water: £492
- Anglian Water: £491
- Dŵr Cymru: £455
- Hafren Dyfrdwy: £392
- In Five Years:
- Dŵr Cymru: £645
- Southern Water: £642
- Anglian Water: £631
- Hafren Dyfrdwy: £557
The increase exceeds Ofwat’s earlier forecast of £20 per household annually. The regulator said the higher charges would fund a £104 billion upgrade to improve water infrastructure and deliver “substantial, lasting improvements for customers and the environment.”
Industry and government responses
Ofwat Chief Executive David Black defended the increases, saying: “Today marks a significant moment. It provides water companies with an opportunity to regain customers’ trust by using this £104 billion upgrade to turn around their environmental record and improve services.
“Customers will rightly expect companies to deliver significant improvements over time to justify the increase in bills. Alongside the step-up in investment, we need to see a transformation in companies’ culture and performance.”
However, he acknowledged the challenges many customers face: “We recognise it is a difficult time, and we are acutely aware of the impact that bill increases will have for some. That is why it is vital companies step up support for customers who struggle to pay.”
Political fallout
Environment Secretary Steve Reed laid the blame on years of Conservative governance, stating: “Under the Conservatives, our sewage system crumbled. They irresponsibly let water companies divert customers’ money to line the pockets of their bosses and shareholders.
“This Labour Government will ringfence money earmarked for investment so it can never be diverted for bonuses and shareholder payouts. We will clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good.”
Some companies have had proposed increases reduced by Ofwat, including Southern Water (£126 cut) and Hafren Dyfrdwy (£73 cut). However, Southern Water customers will still face a 53% increase, with Severn Trent customers seeing a 47% rise.
