Northumbrian Water (NWL) is set to begin work on the most ambitious investment plan in their history.
The five-year improvement plan will begin in April 2025 and will see the company invest £2.6 billion in the region to improve the local water and sewer network.
This major investment programme will see upgrades to some of the company’s key infrastructure, including pipelines, treatment works and pumping stations, to help further improve the company’s environmental performance and make sure customers continue to receive a reliable and high-quality water and wastewater service.
Alongside increased investment from shareholders, to fund new investments, NWL’s customers will see an increase in their water bill, with an average bill increasing by around £1.53 per week for their water and wastewater services, which equates to around £79 per year or 19%. This is the lowest increase in bills for customers anywhere across England and bills will remain among the lowest in the country for NWL’s customers.
Thanks to an 22% decrease in bills in 2020, today’s increase means customers’ bills today will be lower than they would have been in 2020 plus inflation increases over the last six years.
The funds raised by increased water bills are guaranteed only to fund improvements in the region, in addition, the water company is committed to spending 60p in every pound with local suppliers to ensure funds stay in the region to support jobs and the economy.
To help support customers with bills, the water supplier is committed to providing help for any customers who need it, offering a variety of financial support options.
We’ll play our part delivering the Consumer Council for Water’s water poverty commitment and over the next five years we promise to support even more customers through our shareholders providing a £20m support fund.
Head of Affordability Support at Northumbrian Water, Mark Wilkinson, said: “It’s important we keep delivering a service our customers can rely on, including producing clean, clear, and great tasting tap water, as well as protecting the environment. This is why we continue to invest in the future of the North East's water and sewer network.
“We do understand though, that the increase in water bill prices can be a concern for our customers. We want to make sure we have lots of support available from payment plans to payment breaks through to, low-income discounts and free debt support, thanks to our partnership with Stepchange Debt Charity.”
“Last year we helped over 100,000 customers with financial support, and we want to reassure our customers that this help will continue again this year.”
From April, Northumbrian Water customers will be paying on average £1.39 per day for their water and sewerage services. Meaning that with their bills will remain one of the lowest combined water and wastewater charges in England.
Over the next five years Northumbrian Water’s investment in the North East region will include a number of key projects. The water company’s largest investment to date is on track to create 3,000 jobs per year across Northumbrian Water Group and add £5.7bn to the local economy through employment and the use of local suppliers.
The projects demonstrate Northumbrian Water's commitment to providing a sustainable and reliable service to customers in the Northeast and will play a vital role in supporting the region's economic and environmental sustainability.
Monisha Gower, Northumbrian Water’s Assets Director commented: "Our £2.6bn capital programme for the next five years represents a massive increase in investment in the North East, almost three times that of the previous five-year period. We've carried out extensive consultation with customers to inform the development of our investment plan, so we know that what we will be delivering aligns with their priorities.
"With £1.9bn of that investment aimed at protecting and enhancing the environment, along with work to ensure the resilience of our water and wastewater services, customers' bills will be spent directly on the things that matter to them and to their communities."
To find out more about the support available for customers who are struggling financially, visit www.nwl.co.uk/bill-help