The average Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water household customer bill will increase by 27% for 2025-26, from £503 to £639.
This comes as the company prepares for a new investment period for 2025-30, which will see a step change in investment. More than £4bn will be invested in services including £2.5bn on projects to improve the environment.
Welsh Water said the price increase comes following a period of fifteen years when the company kept price rises below the rate of inflation and compares to an industry average rise of 26%. It also said the investment will fund work to reduce pollution, upgrade and build new vital assets, reduce leakage, and improve water quality, as well as creating 2,000 new jobs in its supply chain.
Some of the schemes that will be started during 2025-26 include improving river quality in Corwen, Llanfoist, Letterston and Lampeter, work on 23 storm overflows, 75km of mains replaced, mostly in west Wales and work to upgrade the dams at Cwm Celyn, Usk, Cwmwernderi Tower and Craig Goch.
Welsh Water Interim Chief Financial Officer Samantha James said:
“We understand the financial pressures that some of our customers are facing, and we are doing more than ever before to help those who are struggling.
“Over the past 15 years we’ve done all we can to keep bills low and affordable for our customers, delivering financial support packages to ensure all our customers have access to our services.
“But now it’s time for a step change in investment, to improve performance and service delivery, adapt our networks to the climate crisis, and do more to protect our rivers and seas.
“This record investment will help us deliver the improvements our customers want to see.”
