South West Water says its average bill for 2019/20 will be lower than it was 10 years ago. 

From April 1, the company’s average annual bill for water and wastewater services will be £491, compared to £493 in 2009/10. Customers’ bills will vary dependent on a range of factors, including water usage, the rateable value of their house and whether they are on a meter or not. The company encourages householders to have a free water meter fitted which can save money. Customers can trial a meter for two years, switching back to unmeasured charges if they decide it is not for them.

Customers will continue to benefit from the £50 Government contribution and South West Water will continue its work with Citizens Advice and social housing providers to support customers who struggle to pay their bills. More than 55,000 customers have already benefited from support schemes.

South West Water continues to spend significant amounts on maintaining and improving services. Investment highlights for 2019/20, which will help sustain around 6,000 jobs in the region, include sewer improvements in Looe to support development and house building, improving land management in 11 river catchments for healthier rivers and lower-cost water treatment, targeting industry leakage and minimising the time taken to repair significant leaks.