A supporter of Martin Lewis has shared how she managed to reduce her annual water bill by £400.

Jennifer, a reader of MoneySavingExpert.com, revealed that her yearly water bill was projected to exceed £800. However, upon discovering information on the MSE website, she explored a water social tariff option and discovered she could slash her bill by 50%.

A water social tariff is a discounted rate offered for water and sewerage charges, typically accessible to individuals with low incomes or those receiving benefits.

The eligibility criteria and available support vary among water companies, with an estimated 3.8 million households potentially missing out on these benefits.

Jennifer’s success story was highlighted in the latest MSE newsletter, where she expressed gratitude for the 50% reduction in her bill after applying for the social tariff.

Different water companies offer varying forms of support through social tariffs. For instance, Affinity Water limits water bills to £143.80 annually, or £95.80 for recipients of council tax support.

Income requirements for social tariffs differ by company, with thresholds such as an income below £19,995 (excluding benefits) or claiming specific benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

Water bills in England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £33 per year starting this April, representing a 5.4% hike, above the current inflation rate of 3.4%.

Regulator Ofwat previously granted water companies permission to raise average bills by 36% over a five-year period until 2030 to fund a £104 billion investment program for infrastructure and pollution prevention.

While switching water companies is not an option, there are ways to save money, such as conserving water by shortening shower times and turning off taps when not in use. Free water-saving devices are available, and installing a water meter could lead to potential savings, especially if the number of bedrooms in a household exceeds the number of occupants.