What upgrading our network means for customers’ bills

What upgrading our network means for customers’ bills

Customer bills will increase in April 2026 in the latest stage of our major investment programme to upgrade our water network. Customers tell us they want fast action so we can all be proud of our water network now and in the future.

We know any bill increases are difficult, particularly at a time when many households are already under pressure. These changes are not taken lightly.  

Bristol Water’s five-year £66m investment programme is designed to upgrade the network, by delivering what matters most to customers and communities – securing safe, clean drinking water, improving reliability and ensuring water services continue to meet the standards our customers expect.  

While bills need to increase to support our investment plans, two thirds of the money we are investing is being provided by our investors.

Investment projects include upgrading filtration and adding UV treatment to Cheddar Water Treatment Works, improving lake water quality at Blagdon Lake Tower, and upgrading Pucklechurch surface reservoir.

We are on track to complete our investment programme across Bristol by 2030, focusing on key priorities whilst remaining committed to keeping bills as low as possible and supporting people through the cost-of-living crisis.

Our investment programme will allow us to:

• Make water quality even better

• Enable us to treat more water at any time
• Reduce the risk of problems like burst pipes

Ketan Hindocha, Bristol Water’s Customer Director, said: “We know that any increase in customer bills is unwelcome and these decisions aren’t taken lightly.

“We’re investing more than ever across our region to 2030 to drive improvements on our customers’ top priorities. This record investment represents a step-change and these increases will support that progress.

This includes upgrading the Bristol Water network to strengthen water quality, improving treatment capacity, and enhancing resilience to create a future we can all be proud of.

We want customers to feel confident about managing their bills, which is why our financial support schemes are in place to offer extra help to anyone who may need it. If customers have any concerns, we encourage them to get in touch so we can discuss what support might be available.”

Background:  

• All charges across the industry are rigorously assessed and approved by the regulator, Ofwat. 

• A wide range of factors affects water costs between regions, including the availability of water resources in the area, local geography and the balance of rural versus urban supply needs. Bills from different suppliers cannot therefore be compared like-for-like.  

• Whilst bills are increasing, two thirds of the money invested between 2025 and 2030 is being raised through investors.

• If customers are struggling to manage their bills, there are many ways Bristol Water can help, including support tariffs and options for managing payments.
• Customers can find out more about the support we have at www.bristolwater.co.uk/home/account-and-services/bills-and-payments/struggling-to-pay
• Bristol Water recommends installing a water meter so customers only pay for what they use. However, there are also flexible ways to pay water bills and spread payments.
• Customers can also reduce bills by saving water. Simple water-saving tricks can cut bills and help the environment. For tips and free water-saving devices, see: www.bristolwater.co.uk/every-drip-every-drop