Starting on April 1, 2025, Scottish households will see an increase in their water bills, with average charges rising by £44 annually, or £3.68 per month. This marks a 9.9% rise in the cost of water and wastewater services, which will be implemented by Scottish Water to support essential infrastructure and services.
Why Are Charges Increasing?
Scottish Water, the publicly owned utility responsible for the provision of water and wastewater services across Scotland, stated that the increase in charges is necessary to fund vital investments into maintaining and upgrading the country’s water systems. According to Alex Plant, Chief Executive of Scottish Water, the rising costs are essential for ensuring the continued high quality of water services, especially as weather patterns in Scotland become more extreme. With increased droughts and heavy rainfall, the country’s infrastructure is under greater strain, and without additional investment, there is a risk to service quality.
“We’ve all seen – including in the last few days – how weather conditions in Scotland are becoming more extreme, and we are seeing more frequent periods of both drought and intense rainfall,” Plant said. “This puts our current infrastructure under significant pressure.”
Impact on Households and Businesses
The rise in charges will affect over 2.6 million households across Scotland. However, more than half (52%) of households will receive financial support in the form of discounts, exemptions, or reductions based on certain eligibility criteria. This support aims to ensure that those in financial need are not burdened by the increase in charges.
The increase will also apply to businesses and non-domestic customers who are supplied water and wastewater services by licensed providers, maintaining a consistent price increase across both residential and business sectors.
Aligning with Regulatory Standards
The new charges are in line with the price cap set by the independent Water Industry Commission for Scotland for the 2021-2027 regulatory period. The increase is designed to maintain the round-the-clock water and wastewater services that meet stringent quality and environmental standards set for the industry.
Plant emphasized the long-term sustainability of the investment, saying that the increase in charges will ensure that both current and future generations can continue to rely on Scotland’s water services.
Looking Ahead
Despite the rise in charges, Scottish Water maintains that the investment is critical for sustaining services and ensuring that Scotland’s water infrastructure is prepared for the challenges posed by climate change. The long-term strategy aims to strike a balance between fair costs for customers and maintaining the quality of services.
