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Starting in April, water bills in Scotland will increase by 8.7%, translating to approximately £42 more per year for the average household. Despite this rise, the typical Scottish water bill will total £532 annually, keeping it among the most affordable in the United Kingdom. This adjustment, which averages around £3.50 extra each month, aligns with the limits established by Scotland’s independent economic regulator, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS). For comparison, water bills in England and Wales saw a much steeper rise of 26%—about £123—last April.
Scottish Water, the publicly owned utility responsible for water services to over five million people, explained that the additional revenue will fund essential maintenance and upgrades to the water infrastructure. The company faces increasing challenges, including extreme weather events, rising demand, and aging pipelines and treatment facilities. Notably, 2025 began with Scotland’s driest start in 60 years, creating pressure on water supplies and increasing the need for repairs as infrastructure nears the end of its useful life.
Alex Plant, Chief Executive of Scottish Water, acknowledged that although any price hike is unwelcome, maintaining reliable services remains crucial. Speaking on Radio Scotland Breakfast, he emphasized the need to address extreme weather, demographic shifts, and aging assets. Plant noted, “We need to make sure we are investing to protect these essential services but not putting up bills more than we need to.” Additionally, Scottish Water highlighted that over half of households in Scotland benefit from assistance with their water charges, a support system considered one of the most comprehensive in the UK. Most customers pay their water fees through council tax, based on property valuation bands.
In terms of recent progress, compliance with drinking water standards in Scotland has improved to 99.93% since 2021, with serious pollution incidents down by 25% and internal sewer flooding reduced by one-third. The company estimates that its operation contributes £4.5 billion annually to the Scottish economy. Nevertheless, the exceptionally dry start to the year saw a sudden surge in demand by 100 million liters daily—enough to supply the entire Tayside region. Emergency water deliveries were necessary for some rural areas, while repair costs climbed by 8% as older water pipes reached the end of their lifespan
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