Flintshire households face 4.8% hike in Welsh Water bills
The average household bill for customers of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water will rise by 4.8% in 2026-27, taking the typical annual charge from £652 to £683.
The increase will apply from April 2026, Welsh Water says customers will continue to pay on average less than £2 a day for water and wastewater services.
The company says the rise is among the lowest planned increases across water and sewage providers in Wales and England and forms part of a wider five-year investment programme.
Between 2025 and 2030, Welsh Water plans to invest more than £4bn in its services, double the level of spending in the previous five-year period.
The programme includes £2.5bn for environmental improvements, alongside work to reduce pollution, cut leakage, upgrade existing infrastructure and improve water quality.
Welsh Water supplies around three million people and manages more than 36,500 kilometres of sewers, 834 wastewater treatment works, more than 27,500 kilometres of water mains, 65 water treatment works and 92 reservoirs.
Customers who are struggling to pay may be eligible for help through Welsh Water’s social tariff schemes.
The not-for-profit company says any surplus is reinvested, with £14.7m currently allocated to social tariffs, providing support capacity for up to 147,000 customers.
Welsh Water chief executive Roch Cheroux said: “As I start my new role at Welsh Water my focus is firmly on aiming at delivering world class water services for our customers and their communities.
“It’s vitally important that we deliver the service customers want at a price that they can afford.
“We understand that the recent price rises have been substantial at a time of rising costs across the board for our customers.
“Our aim is to deliver value for money, and we will work tirelessly to show our customers the value of all that we do for their communities and the environment.”
The bill rise comes as consumer groups warn that affordability concerns are increasing across the sector.
The Consumer Council for Water said complaints about water companies rose by 51% in 2025, driven largely by worries about affordability following last year’s record increase.
The council has renewed calls for a single social tariff for England and Wales, arguing that the current system creates a postcode lottery in support for struggling households.
CCW chief executive Mike Keil said: “We’ve seen complaints brought to CCW about the affordability of water bills almost triple in the past year and further bill rises will compound people’s worries.”
“People support investment in improving services, but they are impatient for change and need to see compelling evidence their money is being well spent.”
“A stronger safety net is also needed for those who simply can’t afford these bill rises.”
Water UK is the trade body that represents the UK’s water and wastewater companies, its Chief Executive, David Henderson said: “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 2.5 million households – more than ever before – with average discounts of around 40% off their water bill.”
Gary Carter, GMB union National Officer, said: “Customers will be rightly outraged at large increases when water infrastructure is collapsing around their ears.
“The water companies say the increases will lead to billions of investment.
“People will need to see this delivered, or demand their money back.”
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