Businessman wearing clown’s nose and party hat showing April fools day date

The average water bill is set to rise by £2 from April 1 – but fortunately our money saving expert Andy White has some great tips to help you beat the price changes.

Many of us can afford to laugh at an amusing April Fools Day prank – especially when it’s not at our own expense!

But the prospect of having to pay more for our household and other essential services is far from funny – particularly if you are already struggling to make ends meet.

Unfortunately that’s what is in store for many of us from today (April 1) when a new financial year delivers changes to what we pay for many services.

Water and sewerage bills are no exception with the average household bill across England and Wales rising £2 to £389.

What you end up paying will vary considerably depending on your individual circumstances with some homes paying much more than this, and others far less.

But here’s the good news. There are now more ways than ever before to reduce your water and sewerage charges and make sure you have the last laugh:

Here are some of our top tips to whet your appetite:

  • CONSIDER SWITCHING TO A METER – For many households the most effective way to cut their water bill is to opt to have a water meter installed free of charge. Some people can save more than £100 a year and there’s usually an option to switch back to your original unmeasured charges within the first year if you change your mind. It won’t benefit everyone but as a ‘rule of thumb’ if your property has more bedrooms than people living there it’s definitely worth checking if you could save. Use our online calculator to find out how much, if anything, you would be likely to save.
  • APPLY FOR A LOWER TARIFF – Most water companies in England and Wales now offer reduced ‘social tariffs’ for customers on lower incomes. In some cases this can lead to bill reductions of more than 50 per cent. Find out if you’re likely to qualify for help and how to apply by visiting our online guide
  • FISH FOR SOME FREEBIES – Most water companies will offer you free devices and advice than can help you reduce the water you use – ideal for saving money if you’re a metered customer. Get in touch with your water company to find out what they can offer you.
  • SOAK-AWAY SAVINGS – If you have a soak-away in your garden which drains all the surface water from your property back into the earth, you can apply to have surface water drainage charges removed from your bills. This will typically save you about £35 a year.
  • SIGN UP TO WATERSURE – if you’re already on a water meter but have high usage due to a large family or medical condition, and also receive income related benefits, the WaterSure scheme could help. It caps the amount you’re charged each and is available in England and Wales.

Have any of our tips helped you to save money on your water bills? Let us know by leaving your comments below.