Severn Trent Water customers in Derbyshire to face April price hikes
The firm is upping its prices, as suppliers across the country are seeing bills spike on average by 5.4%
Household water bills for customers Severn Trent Water are set to see notable increases from April, with the firm confirming a 10% hike.
The firm supplies homes across Derbyshire.
The increases come as part of nationwide changes in England and Wales, where bills will go up by an average of 5.4%. According to industry body Water UK, these rises will fund £20 billion worth of investment between 2026 and 2027 aimed at securing water supplies and tackling sewage issues in waterways.
More than two million households across the country currently benefit from affordability measures such as social tariffs, with that number expected to grow by 300,000 over the next year.
Why are bills rising?
Water companies are under pressure to address decades of underinvestment in infrastructure, which has led to sewage spills into rivers and seas. Meanwhile, Ofwat has authorised significant bill increases over the coming years to help fund upgrades.
The regulator says that by April 2027, water companies will have installed over eight million water meters to help customers manage bills, replaced nearly 3,000km of piping, and reduced sewage spills from storm overflows by 30%.
Severn Trent customers will be among those experiencing sharp increases, though levels vary across different providers.
Public concerns over investments
Consumer advocacy groups and environmental campaigns are urging greater transparency over how bill-payer money is spent.
The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) reported a 51% rise in complaints about affordability last year, with concerns surrounding the scale of previous increases and worries over future costs.
CCW’s chief executive, Mike Keil, said, “People support investment in improving services, but they are impatient for change and need to see compelling evidence their money is being well spent.”
Environmental groups have similarly criticised the current system. Surfers Against Sewage campaign manager Rob Abrams said, “Water isn't a commodity. It's a necessity. Yet it's being milked for profit while sewage is pumped into our waters.”
Further campaigns are calling for a fundamental shift in how the sector operates to ensure investment benefits both customers and the environment long-term.
Support measures for customers
With significant bill increases ahead, water companies are expanding affordability schemes. Severn Trent Water have already committed to supporting struggling households, as part of a nationwide effort raising the number of households receiving help to 2.5 million.
Customers seeking financial assistance can check if they qualify for social tariffs or schemes like WaterSure, as companies aim to offset the financial strain of rising bills.
David Henderson, chief executive at Water UK, said, “We know this increase will be difficult for many, which is why more households than ever will receive help, with average discounts of around 40% on their bills.”