Welsh Water invests £7m in low-income households

A £7m investment will help Welsh Water reduce bills for more low-income households over the next year.

Chris Jones, chief executive of Welsh Water, said: “Today’s investments are a direct benefit of our unique not-for-profit way of working, which allows us to invest the money we make back into the business and to benefit our customers.”

Welsh Water is a not-for-profit water company, owned by its customers, that serves three million consumers in Wales and parts of England.

This follows the recent news that the average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales for 2018-19 is set to rise by 2 per cent (£9) to £405, as the water sector commits to cutting leakage and improving the environment.

The £7 million of additional funding covers the company’s flagship social tariff, HelpU, and other support to build on a large number of low-earning customers already accessing support to pay their bills, (around 90,000 are currently receiving support).

The company is ahead of schedule to meet its target of supporting more than 100,000 customers by 2020, and is currently an industry leader in supporting low-earning households to pay their bills.

Jones added: “Our increased support of £7 million for our lowest-earning customers demonstrates our continuing commitment to supporting those who genuinely struggle to pay their bills – something which our customer consultations have shown is a strong priority for the people we serve.”

He said the company will work with a wide range of agencies and support organisations to promote its social tariffs to those that need help, but added it will also “pursue” those who could pay but choose not to, “so that everyone pays their fair share”.

As well as the £7m investment in low-income households, the company plans to put a record £430 million in to capital projects, including a new pumping station in Usk, replacing pipes in Anglesey, new waste water treatment works in Pembrokeshire, and improvements to bathing water quality in Tenby and Saundersfoot, home to popular local resorts.

Tom Taylor, consumer council for Water in Wales, said the move will be welcomed. He said: “even the smallest increase in bills can be a tipping point for customers that are already struggling to pay.”

Taylor wants to encourage customers to opt for a water meter, as he said this can save some households more than £100 a year: “About two thirds of bill payers are still unaware they have two years to trial one with the option to switch back free of charge.”