South East Water prices for 2022/23

South East Water has confirmed the average household will pay £221 a year or 60 pence a day for their tap water supply from 1 April.

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing and the difficulties it has brought for many households, the company has been focusing on keeping its vital services running, investing in new infrastructure and introducing new ways to support customers struggling with paying their bills through an innovative and groundbreaking partnership with two local councils.

South East Water is in the middle of a five year investment programme which is seeing £433 million being spent on the very latest water testing technology to meet rigorous water quality regulations, the replacement of underground pipes and leakage control, developing new water resources and the introduction of new treatment processes.

From April 22 to March 23 the company will be investing around £112 million, to continue to improve the service it gives to its customers.

Major projects to be started or underway from April include:

• Brand new water treatment works in Aylesford, Kent
• Completion of the strategic water main from Fleet to Greywell, Hampshire
• Expansion of Bewl Water Treatment Works situated on the boundary between Kent and Sussex
• Improvement work at College Avenue Water Treatment Works, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Over the past two years, support has been increased to customers who may be struggling to pay their water bill.

South East Water is working with local councils to share data to identify households on a low income. Those who are eligible for the company’s social tariff, which caps the cost of tap water and waste water, are being automatically transferred to the tariff without a need to apply. South East Water is looking to work in partnership with more councils to support customers that are struggling to pay their bills.

Other initiatives include an on-going payment holiday scheme and access to virtual debt advisers as part of a free arrangement developed with the Money and Pension Service. Further support is then given through the company’s new Breathing Space scheme.

Customer Services Director, Tanya Sephton, said: “It has undoubtedly been a very tough couple of years for everyone and we are working hard to get initiatives such as our data sharing programme in place quickly to make sure help is given where it is needed most, without our customers needing to ask.

“We believe we are the first water company to work in partnership with local councils, to help identify our customers who may need a helping hand with their water bill.

“Our average bill works out at 60 pence per day for all the water supplied to the home for drinking, cooking, cleaning, gardening and of course the extra hygiene we know is so important at this time.

“We really do encourage anyone worried about their bill to contact us as soon as possible and we’ll help find the right options for them. This could be advice and water saving devices to help reduce water usage, or finding the right tariff for their circumstances.”

To sign-up for the company’s Priority Services Register which is available for customers with medical conditions, restricted mobility, additional needs, sight and hearing issues who may need some extra support during a water supply emergency contact the Customer Care team on 0333 000 2468(opens in a new tab) or go to southeastwater.co.uk/priority

South East Water supplies drinking water to homes across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to 2.2 million people.