From 1 April 2026, wholesale water companies will update their charges for clean water and wastewater services. Ofwat will sign off final prices before they are published between January and March, but we already have indicative price changes, to help you plan ahead.
What you can expect
This table shows the indicative overall percentage wholesale charge change for each wholesaler.
| Wholesaler | Price Change | ||
| Water | Sewerage | Combined | |
| Affinity Water | 9.7% | n/a | 9.7% |
| Anglian Water | 1.0% | -4.2% | -1.3% |
| Bristol Water | 15.8% | n/a | 15.8% |
| Dwrcymru Water | 11.9% | n/a | 11.9% |
| Northumbrian Water | 6.5% | 6.5% | 6.5% |
| Portsmouth Water | 1.6% | n/a | 1.6% |
| Severn Trent Water | 4.3% | 14.0% | 8.8% |
| South East Water | 12.1% | n/a | 12.1% |
| Southern Water | 19.4% | -9.0% | 0.1% |
| South Staffs Water | 3.6% | n/a | 3.6% |
| South West Water | 12.2% | 25.1% | 17.9% |
| SES Water | 16.1% | n/a | 16.1% |
| Thames Water | 6.9% | -3.9% | 1.6% |
| United Utilities | 20.3% | 9.5% | 13.7% |
| Wessex Water | -0.7% | 10.5% | 6.5% |
| Yorkshire Water | 2.0% | 8.9% | 5.9% |
It’s important to note:
- At this stage, they are just a guide
- The actual changes will very likely be different.
- They are based on overall charges.
- Your price change will depend on factors such as the amount of water used and meter size.
The wholesalers finalise their 2026/27 prices and publish them on their websites between January and March.
We’ll provide links to these charging schemes when they are available, so you can see how the annual price increase affects your charges.
Why are prices increasing
Every five years, Ofwat reviews water companies’ investment plans and sets price limits. The latest review approved significant increases between 2025 - 2030 to support a record £104 billion investment in the water network.
This includes:
- Building new reservoirs
- Upgrading wastewater treatment plants
- Reducing storm overflow spills
- Cutting leakage and improving supply resilience
These projects are essential to meet environmental standards and secure long-term water supplies,
What makes up your water charges
Next steps
- Submit monthly meter readings via MyAccount for accurate billing
- We’ll share confirmed prices and helpful resources by the end of January
- Contact us if you have any questions - we’re committed to keeping you informed and helping you reduce costs wherever possible.
How we can support you
We understand these changes come at a time when many businesses are facing cost pressures, so we’re here to help:
