Being a part of our WaterSave Tariff trial

We launched our WaterSave Tariff trial in October 2023. Around 1,500 customers in the Stevenage postcode area SG1 were selected for the trial.

We wanted to see if there's a fairer, more affordable way for our customers to pay for their clean water supply. We also wanted to explore a tariff that could be better for the environment at the same time.

What was the WaterSave Tariff?

This trial used a 'rising block' tariff where the more water you use, the more the water costs. We expected that 2 out of every 3 households would have a lower bill on the WaterSave Tariff.

Here's how that works:

Block 1: FREE

The first 30,000 litres of water used each year is free.

Block 2: £1.51

The next 215,000 litres used each year will cost £1.51 for every 1,000 litres used.

Block 3: £4

Then each 1,000 litres used over 245,000 litres each year will cost £4.

What have we learnt?

Over the course of the two-year trial, our customers have shared valuable feedback and insights with us.

On average, customers have saved £28 on their first trial bill.
3 out of 4 customers saw a reduction in their bill.
Customers were saving on average 34 litres per day, which equates to 12,410 litres saved over a year!

We’re truly grateful to those customers who have been involved in the trial for helping us understand how customers interact with this kind of tariff.

What are the future plans for a tariff like this?

Thanks to everyone’s participation in the trial, we’ll keep developing what we’ve learnt and how we can shape tariffs in the future. Once there are updates around this, we’ll reach out to our customers.

Frequently asked questions

When will the WaterSave Tariff trial end?

The trial will end on 30th September 2025. This means if you've been on the trial, your charges will be switched back to our standard charges from October 2025.

Why is the trial ending?

The trial was planned to last for two years to make sure that we would have the evidence to show the effects of this tariff. We started the trial on the 1st October 2023 and it will be ending on the 30th September 2025.

What if I want to stay on the WaterSave Tariff trial charges?

As this was a trial, customers won't be able to stay on these charges once the trial has ended. Don't worry - there's no action needed as we'll make all the changes for you as we switch you back to standard charges.

How much is my bill going to change by and how can I find out about my payments?

If you're on a monthly budget plan, your new payments will be in the 'Your account' section of your bill. You can also see your upcoming payments by logging in or registering for My Account.

Your next bill will be in April 2026 and this will show what you’ve used between October 2025 – March 2026.

The table below shows how your clean water bill is likely to change after you switch back to standard charges:

Table

Number of occupiers	Likely change in bill £/month
1 occupier	£5.85
2 occupier	£5.87
3 occupier	£5.89
4 occupier	£5.90
5 occupier	£5.92
6 occupier	£5.94
7 occupier	£5.95
8 occupier	£1.67

Find out more about our charges scheme.

Why have my monthly instalment amounts changed?

If you’re on a monthly budget plan, your instalments may look a little different. We’ve adjusted them to keep your payments as steady as possible throughout the year. The new amount is based on our standard charges rather than the tariff trial charges. Full details can be found in the ‘Your account’ section of your bill.

I was paying less on the tariff trial. Why do I need to pay more?

Your bill may go up when you're switched back to standard charges. Since the tariff trial started, there has been a price increase for standard charges. We were able to freeze the price increase for customers on the trial, which is why you may not have seen the price increase before.

During the tariff trial, an initial block of free water and a lower yearly fixed charge were offered. Once the trial ends and everyone is switched back to standard charges, that will no longer apply.

How can I reduce my bill now that the trial has finished?

As you have a water meter, you only pay for the water you use. That means the less you use, the more you can save on your bill. To help, we’ve got plenty of water-saving tips and free devices designed to save you water and money.

Is there any support available if I’m worried about paying my bill?

If you're worried about paying your bill, we're here to help. Click here to find out more about the support available to you.

Can I switch back to a rising block tariff in the future?

The WaterSave Tariff trial gave us valuable insights into how different tariffs can work. While you won’t be able to switch back once it ends, we’ll keep using what we’ve learned to shape future tariffs. We’ll keep you updated as our plans develop.

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Everything you need to know about our WaterSave Tariff trial