Navigating the waters: addressing the water affordability crisis for older people living in financial hardship

At Independent Age, we believe that no one should have to make sacrifices to reduce their water costs because these bills are unaffordable. Yet, this is the hidden reality for many older people in financial hardship. Senior Policy Officer Maud Gozlan explains more.

This blog, which is part of a series on broadband, water, energy and Council Tax, is based on Independent Age’s research on the impact of high household costs on older people facing financial hardship.

In this blog, we’ll focus on the situation in England and Wales, as Northern Ireland and Scotland have their respective national companies overseeing water and sewerage services.

Struggles with water bills

“I try to reduce my water consumption, I leave the washing up for once a day instead of after every meal, I no longer shower every day nor flush the loo every time if only having a pee.” Colin, 70s

Through our research we’ve heard from many people in later life with experiences like Colin, who are having to make incredibly difficult sacrifices to be able to afford their rising water bills. People have told us how they’re cutting back on other essentials in their homes or are reducing their water usage by using their washing machine less, or washing with cold water. This is negatively impacting people’s mental and physical health. For those living with long-term conditions and disabilities in later life, this can be especially difficult. At Independent Age, we think this is unacceptable.

In April, we commissioned YouGov polling which found that of those aged 65+ on a low income (people with under £15,000 in income):

• 24% in England and 26% in Wales said they were keeping up with their water bills but struggled from time to time
• 17% in England and 11% in Wales said they were keeping up with their water bills, but it was a constant struggle
• 1% in England and 2% in Wales said they had fallen behind on this bill.

Water usage for long term conditions and disabilities

With age, the prevalence of disability increases and this can have a huge impact on a person’s life. In addition to the physical and mental toll experienced, living with a disability or long-term condition can come with extra costs for the individual including higher bills as a result of needing to use more water.

The results of our nationally representative polling found that 12% of older people on a low income in England and 13% in Wales, said their disability or health condition means that they use more water than average. This can make these bills even more unaffordable. In a separate survey we carried out this summer, we found that over the last six months, 37% of older people with a disability saw their water bills had increased above what they are comfortably able to pay.

“The prices have gone up. Everything is going up. It’s worrying. I am using up savings.” Anonymous

Awareness of available support

Water companies do offer schemes to support people struggling to manage their bills. WaterSure helps people who require more water because of medical conditions, while social tariffs are available for those on a low income. Despite this available help, eligibility criteria and levels of discount vary depending on the company and location.

This is because in England and Wales, the water company that provides your water and sewerage service is determined by where you live. These regional differences create a confusing postcode lottery of support, which likely contributes to the fact that awareness of this financial help is low.

Our survey of people aged 65 and over found that awareness of available support offered by water companies is exceptionally low. Before taking our survey, 67% didn’t know that their water company offered any kind of support.

We also heard from older people who were aware of these schemes, but were unsure how they worked, leading to confusion and suspicion, and ultimately more people missing out on support such as social tariffs that could help lower their water bills.

“I don’t understand how this works.” Sheila, 80s

Increasing awareness and uptake of water social tariffs, and creating a fair system

Much more needs to be done so that no older person is forced to cut essentials in their home to pay for their water bills.

This is why we are calling on water companies to more proactively promote their social tariffs and other support, such as WaterSure. We want companies to target areas of deprivation and to include all eligible groups, including older people on a low income, who are often missed out. To reach seldom-heard groups who are more likely to live in poverty in later life, it’s important that both online and offline channels are used.

We’re also joining others across the sector in calling on the UK Government to stop the postcode lottery of water social tariffs by creating a single social tariff for water.

Find out more about our research on rising household costs and their impact on older people in financial hardship by reading our report.

You can also support our work by joining our campaign network. You can sign up here.

Find out more about ways to boost your income and cut costs through advice on our website. You can always contact our free Helpline on 0800 319 6789.