How Rising Wholesale Water Costs Is Affecting UK Businesses – 2026 Insights.
Since 2019, wholesale water costs across the UK have been steadily increasing.
In 2026, businesses will be seeing an average increase of 8.5%—a figure that alone is significant.
But when you consider the cumulative increases over the past eight years, it becomes clear just how much your water utilities have grown. For many businesses, this directly affects operational budgets, tightens already thin margins, and can significantly influence financial planning.
So, How Does Wholesale Water Price Rises Affect You And Your Business?
If we examine the average annual increase, water bills have risen by 49–147% over the past seven years—a substantial jump. This is particularly concerning considering that the majority of UK businesses remain on default contracts with tariffs that often don’t suit their usage. Many inefficiencies and leaks go unreviewed and unaudited, further compounding costs.
| Region | Apr-20 | Apr-21 | Apr-22 | Apr-23 | Apr-24 | Apr-25 | Apr-26 | Total Increase 2019→2026 |
| Anglian Water | ↑ ~4% | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~6% | ↑ ~12.4% | ↑ ~8.3% | ↑ ~12.9% | ↑ ~11.3% | 77% |
| Northumbrian Water | ↑ ~3.5% | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~6% | ↑ ~8.8% | ↑ ~10.1% | ↑ ~23.1% | ↑ ~6.3% | 81% |
| Severn Trent Water | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~6.5% | ↑ ~7% | ↑ ~9.5% | ↑ ~5.5% | ↑ ~11.6% | ↑ ~4.8% | 62% |
| Thames Water | ↑ ~4% | ↑ ~5.5% | ↑ ~7% | ↑ ~10.6% | ↑ ~12% | ↑ ~32.5% | ↑ ~2.8% | 98% |
| United Utilities | ↑ ~4% | ↑ ~5.5% | ↑ ~6.5% | ↑ ~9% | ↑ ~10.7% | ↑ ~23.8% | ↑ ~12.1% | 96% |
| Southern Water | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~6.5% | ↑ ~8.5% | ↑ ~10.4% | ↑ ~14.3% | ↑ ~52.8% | ↑ ~5.7% | 147% |
| South West Water | ↑ ~4% | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~6.5% | ↑ ~2.9% | ↑ ~7.9% | ↑ ~21.4% | ↑ ~17.1% | 84% |
| Yorkshire Water | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~6.5% | ↑ ~7.5% | ↑ ~7.6% | ↑ ~6.5% | ↑ ~29.6% | ↑ ~6.4% | 90% |
| Scottish Water | ↑ ~2% | ↑ ~2.5% | ↑ ~4.2% | ↑ ~5% | ↑ ~8.8% | ↑ ~9.9% | ↑ ~8.67% | 49% |
| Welsh Water | ↑ ~3% | ↑ ~4.5% | ↑ ~7% | ↑ ~10.6% | ↑ ~6.6% | ↑ ~24.4% | ↑ ~4.6% | 77% |
But what does this percentage increase actually mean in terms of real monetary value? Keep reading for the break down.
*The percentages/values shown are based on data aggregated from multiple retailers and converted into estimated monetary averages. They are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as precise or definitive values.
Putting Wholesale Water Rising Costs into Perspective.
Select your wholesaler below to see your average price increase over the last 7 years and how this will affect your bills in terms of cost.
Wholesale water prices of Anglian Water are rising by an average of 11.3% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 77% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £8,852 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 77% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £88,528 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 77% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £177,056 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Northumbrian Water are rising again by an average of 6.3% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 81% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £9,028 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 81% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £90,284 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 81% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £180,568 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Scottish Water are rising by an average of 8.67%, which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 49% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £7,431 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 49% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £74,316 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 49% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £148,633 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Severn Trent Water are rising by an average of 4.8%, which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 62% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £8,083 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 62% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £80,832 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 62% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £161,664 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Southern Water are rising by an average of 5.7% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 147% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £12,364 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 147% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £123,638 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 147% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £247,276 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of South West Water are rising by an average of 17.1% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 84% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £9,178 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 84% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £91,781 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 84% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £183,563 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Thames Water are rising by an average of 11.3% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 98% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £9,904 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 98% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £99,042 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 98% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £198,085 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of United Utilities are rising by an average of 12.1% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 96% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £9,783 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 96% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £97,837 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 96% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £195,675 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Welsh Water are rising by an average of 8.5% (April 2026), which means that your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 77% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £8,834 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 77% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £88,342 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 77% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £176,685 per month*.
Wholesale water prices of Yorkshire Water are rising by an average of 6.4% (April 2026), which means that, your monthly bill could increase yet again—impacting your budget and cash flow.*
To put this into monetary context:
- If your water bills cost £5,000 per month in 2019, a 90% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £9,497 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £50,000 per month in 2019, a 90% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £94,978 per month*.
- If your water bills cost £100,000 per month in 2019, a 90% increase over seven years, means that from April 2026, you could be paying approximately £189,957 per month*.
*The percentages/values shown are based on data aggregated from multiple retailers and converted into estimated monetary averages. They are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as precise or definitive values.
Take Control Of Your Water Costs Today.
Rising water costs are putting increasing pressure on business budgets, making it more important than ever to ensure you’re not overpaying. Without regular reviews, hidden inefficiencies, outdated tariffs, or unnoticed leaks could be costing you more than you realise. That’s where Wodr steps in—helping you take control, reduce waste, and secure better value from your water services.
Tariff & Usage Review
We assess your current tariffs, analyse usage, and audit for leaks or inefficiencies.
Retailer Negotiation
We review the market and negotiate better options with water retailers on your behalf.
Seamless Switching
We manage the entire switching process, ensuring no disruption to your water supply.
