Ofwat has set out clear expectations for water companies to tell customers how money is spent, why bills are rising and what improvements the funding will deliver.

Thames Water has started identifying customers who need financial support to automatically enrol them on its social tariff schemes under a new initiative which will provide more than £10 million in financial assistance to an estimated 33,000 households under the company’s WaterHelp, WaterSure and Extra Support Scheme programmes.

Frustration and worry among households over soaring water bills saw the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) receive the highest number of complaints about water companies in almost a decade.

Frustration and worry among households over soaring water bills saw the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) receive the highest number of complaints about water companies in almost a decade.

Environment Agency Minister Steve Reed has asked Ofwat to assess £1.3 million payments to Yorkshire Water CEO Nicola Shaw “as a matter of urgency”.

South Staffs Water has launched a new tariff offering a 60% discount for metered customers with a household income of £22,011 to £27,000 on the essential water they use every day.

An innovative tariff trial led by Affinity Water is showing strong early results in reducing customer bills and cutting water usage, a dual win for households and the environment.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is warning that fewer households believe the amount water companies charge is fair, with customers’ overall trust in the sector also hitting a new low, according to its annual Water Matters survey released today.

Water UK, the trade organisation which represents all of the UK water companies, is calling for major reform of the water system in its submission to the Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe.

Yorkshire Water is hosting more roadshows in April to offer customers advice on bill support - including helping customers to understand if they can reduce their water bills and receive immediate financial support.