- Almost one in five households in the UK struggled to pay their water bills in the last year, with over a fifth of those falling into debt with their supplier.
- Many struggling households were forced to cut back on essential groceries and energy, and over a third resorted to rationing water by reducing showers, toilet flushes, and clothes washing.
- This hardship follows the largest single-year increase in household water charges since privatisation, with average bills rising significantly and a substantial hike introduced in April.
- Citizens Advice is urging the government to implement a single social tariff for low-income households, criticising the current "postcode lottery" of support schemes offered by individual water providers.
- Water companies have pledged increased financial support, while the Consumer Council for Water reported a nine-year high in household complaints due to frustration over soaring bills.
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