South West Water announces average bills will fall in 2022

04th February 2022

Today, South West Water has announced its average household bill for 2022/23. The average annual bill for water and wastewater services for customers will be less than last year and lower than 10 years ago.

At the same time, 2022/23 will see the highest level of capital investment in the past 10 years, improving the region’s network and infrastructure as part of its commitment to further protect and enhance the natural environment.

South West Water believes no-one should worry about their water bill, especially when other utility bills and inflationary increases are on the rise, putting pressure on households. This announcement, together with a range of further help packages for those who need it most, is the right thing to do.

The WaterCare tariff offers a wide range of support to customers which includes benefit entitlement checks to ensure customers maximise their income, water efficiency checks to reduce bills, and a comprehensive affordability toolkit.

It also helps those on a low income by reducing standard measured charges by between 15% and 85%.

Additionally, for customers on a lower income or with a medical condition requiring them to use extra water, South West Water’s WaterSure tariff, which now supports 16,000 customers, will also be lower by over £50 in 2022/23.

Jo Ecroyd, South West Water’s Customer Service Director, said: “From 1 April 2022, South West Water’s average annual household bill for water and wastewater services will be £472. This is less than the average for last year.

“We understand concern about household budgets and now more than ever we will do what we can for customers. We would encourage any customers who are worried about their bill to get in touch and see what additional support we can offer.”

The company also held the water industry’s first ever Customer AGM in 2021 as part of its pioneering WaterShare+ scheme which gives customers a greater stake and say in the business, allowing South West Water to build deeper relationships with its customers. The scheme shared approximately £20 million with customers as money back on their bills or as shares in its parent company, Pennon, and as a result, more than 1 in 16 households are now shareholders as well as customers.

With a key focus on environmental improvement, for the first time1 100% of the classified bathing waters in the South West passed stringent standards set by Defra, with 98% rated as or ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’, compared to around 28% in 1991.

The same approach used to achieve this will be used to deliver a step change on the company’s impact on river quality and reducing any impact by 1/3 by 2025.

Customers will also continue to benefit from the £50 Government Contribution for 2022/23.