Working households in Wales can get a considerable discount on their water bills thanks to a new cost-of-living scheme. Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) has launched a Cymuned (Community) Support Fund which offers short-term help to working households whose “bills exceed their income”.
It means qualifying households get a three-month “charge-free period” – equal to around £100 to £200 knocked off the average bill, reports North Wales Live. Until now Dŵr Cymru has mostly given financial support to households on means-tested benefits.
But the new scheme is being offered to any household which has a combined total income of £50,000 per year or less – and whose household bills exceed their incomes. Anyone on a Dŵr Cymru social tariff or debt scheme is not eligible for the discount.
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The launch comes after the scheme was successfully piloted in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Denbighshire over the last six months. Qualifying customers have saved almost 25% on their annual water bills during this time.
Rhyl resident Maria was one of the first to access the Cymuned fund. She said: “I work for a homeless shelter and there’s not usually much financial support available to me as I have a small income.
“I was told about the Cymuned Fund by my local Citizens Advice team, as I was under a lot of pressure making monthly payments on my essentials. I applied for Cymuned and was successful after an income and expenditure assessment.
“It’s helped massively and took a lot of pressure off me. I’m so glad to see this much-needed support for working people who are finding rising costs so hard to keep up with.”
To receive the discount, customers should apply to one of three partner organisations – Citizens Advice, StepChange Debt Charity or Warm Wales – who will carry out an income vs expenditure assessment. If households meet the test, the partner organisations will apply to Dŵr Cymru on their behalf.
The company already helps more than 147,000 household customers with their bills, the highest number it has ever supported. Since April 2023, low-income customers on its HelpU tariff have had their annual bill capped at £291, a big reduction on the average household bill of £499.
Dŵr Cymru is urging customers experiencing difficulties to contact them as soon as possible so that they can discuss solutions. Options include flexible payment schemes or installing a free water meter.
Sam James, managing director of household customer services, said: “We know that many working customers in the communities we serve are struggling as they face increased pressure from the cost-of-living. Our Cymuned scheme is the first of its kind, designed to provide eligible working households with financial support.”
There is more information on the Cymuned Support Fund here. You can find details of all Welsh Water’s financial support here.
