United Utilities, the North West water supplier, has hit more than seven million consumers with a significant increase in water bills. The company’s profits have doubled since last year, following a sharp rise in bills for households across the region. With over seven million people relying on United Utilities for their water supply, customers are facing an average 32 per cent increase in their bills over the next five years. In April 2025, the largest increase yet took effect, with the average household seeing their water bill surge by £86.
The steep rise in bills comes as consumers are already grappling with rising costs in nearly every household expense. The increase was intended to cover the £13.7 billion cost of upgrading the company’s network of pipes and sewers. This decision was made after accusations that United Utilities had been illegally discharging raw sewage into Lake Windermere. Despite the justification for the bill hikes, it has been revealed that the company’s pre-tax profit for the year ending March 31 has doubled to £355 million. Additionally, United Utilities announced a 4.2 percent increase in dividend payouts to shareholders, raising it to 34.6p.
Protestors have expressed their outrage outside United Utilities’ office in Windermere over the sewage spills into the lake. Chief executive Louise Beardmore has defended the company’s actions, highlighting a 25 percent reduction in sewage spills per storm overflow in 2024. While Beardmore claims that the company has delivered positive results for customers, communities, and the environment in the North West, recent accusations of failing to report untreated sewage dumping into Lake Windermere have raised concerns. Despite these controversies, Beardmore took home £1.4 million in 2024, including her base salary, benefits, bonuses, and long-term share awards. Trust in private water companies has plummeted, with a majority of households believing that the charges imposed by water companies are unjust. Additionally, a bill proposed in parliament by Labour MP Clive Lewis to hold water companies accountable for spills was blocked by the government, citing implementation costs as a barrier.
