Scottish households will see their water bills rise by an average of 8.7% from April, adding around £42 a year to the typical payment. The increase brings the average annual cost to £532, which remains among the lowest in the UK despite the rise.
The adjustment, equivalent to around £3.50 per month, falls within limits set by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), the independent economic regulator. By comparison, average water bills in England and Wales rose by 26% – or £123 a year – in April 2024, placing Scotland firmly at the lower end of the UK pricing scale.
Funding vital infrastructure
Scottish Water, which is publicly owned, said the increase is necessary to maintain essential services for more than five million people and to fund vital infrastructure improvements across the country. Investments will focus on upgrading ageing water pipes, treatment works, and other key facilities as the system faces increasing strain.
The company cited several recent challenges, including Scotland’s driest start to a year in six decades, which saw rainfall at just 59% of normal levels. This led to a surge in daily demand, equivalent to supplying all of Tayside, and prompted emergency water deliveries to rural communities. Repair costs have also risen by 8% as much of the network nears the end of its operational life.
“We know any rise is unwelcome”
Chief executive Alex Plant acknowledged the price rise would not be welcome, but said it was “critical” to protect services amid changing weather patterns and shifting population demands.
“We’re balancing the need to invest for resilience – against more extreme weather, population growth and ageing assets – without increasing bills more than we have to,” Plant told BBC Radio Scotland.
He noted the company had deliberately kept increases below inflation in recent years to help households during and after the pandemic, a move that reduced investment by an estimated £400–£500 million.
Support for millions of households
Scottish Water said more than half of households (53%) receive some form of support with their water charges, making it one of the most comprehensive affordability schemes in the UK. Most customers pay their bills via council tax, with charges based on their property’s council tax band.
Improving performance
Since 2021, the quality and environmental performance of Scotland’s water network have improved significantly:
Drinking water compliance has risen to 99.93%.
Serious environmental pollution incidents are down 25%.
Internal sewer flooding incidents have been reduced by one-third.
Scottish Water estimates its economic contribution to the country at £4.5 billion annually, reflecting both infrastructure investment and operational spending.
