Thames Water is cutting water bills in 17 London boroughs

Finally, some better news when it comes to the cost of living crisis. Thames Water, London’s water provider, has announced a scheme that will slash water bills for thousands of low-income households in the city.

Following a successful pilot in Richmond and Wandsworth, the scheme is now expanding to cover more boroughs across the capital. Through data sharing between Thames Water, councils and Policy in Practice, customers who qualify could have their water bill halved automatically, whether they know about the scheme or not. It is projected to save households hundreds of pounds a year.

Keen to see if you’re eligible to save (more than) a few pennies on your water bill? Here’s what you need to know. 

Which London boroughs are cutting household water bills?

Residents in the following areas could benefit:

• Westminster
• Camden
• Islington
• Brent
• Haringey
• Enfield
• Hackney
• Tower Hamlets
• Lewisham
• Southwark
• Greenwich
• Lambeth
• Richmond upon Thames
• Wandsworth
• Ealing
• Kensington & Chelsea
• Hammersmith & Fulham

How much are bills discounted by?

Eligible households could see their water bill cut by 50 percent, which could save more than £300 per year

Who is eligible?

There’s two tiers to the scheme. Customers whose water bill exceeds 5 percent of their net income will automatically get it reduced by 50 percent as part of the Water Help scheme. 

There’s also Water Sure, a social tariff which caps bills. This is for households where someone is receiving a means-tested benefit and either has a medical condition that requires extra water use or three or more children under the age of 19. Thames Water said it will be able to identify customers who are eligible for assistance of up to £700.