Scottish Water has announced a 9.9% rise in bills from April, impacting households with an average increase of £3.68 monthly or £44 yearly.
Edinburgh: So, Scottish Water just dropped the news that our water bills are going up by 9.9% starting in April. That means an extra £3.68 a month for the average household, which adds up to about £44 a year. Ouch, right?
They say it’s all about keeping up with the weather. Apparently, the current system is feeling the heat—literally. With more droughts and heavy rain, they need to invest more to keep things running smoothly.
This isn’t the first hike we’ve seen; last year, bills went up by 8.8%. Scottish Water, being publicly owned, mentioned that over half of the households they serve get some financial help with their charges. So, that’s a bit of relief for many.
Alex Plant, the CEO, pointed out that we all take pride in our water quality. To keep those standards high, they need to invest for the long haul. It’s all about balancing today’s needs with future demands.
Most of us pay our water bills along with council tax, and the charges depend on the property’s council tax band. The board sets these charges, and they’re in line with the price cap from the regulator.
They also mentioned that this increase is part of a plan to adjust charges over the regulatory period, which runs from 2021 to 2027. It’s a way to ease the burden on families and businesses, especially after the tough times during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.
So, yeah, it looks like we’ll be digging a bit deeper into our pockets for water this year. Just another thing to keep in mind as we budget for the months ahead!
