Scottish water bills set to rise by about £16 a year before inflation
Scotland’s average household water and wastewater bill is expected to rise by about £16 each year before inflation from April 2027. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland published its final decision on 12 November. Its estimate is about £4 a year below the increase Scottish Water proposed.
What the decision means for your council tax band
More than 99% of Scottish households pay water charges based on their council tax band. For a Band A home, the regulator puts the annual charge at £435 in 2026–27 and £510 by 2032–33. For Band H, the equivalent figures are £1,305 and £1,531.
Those examples use today’s prices and exclude discounts. Future inflation will affect the amount on your bill. If you receive a single-person discount or help through the Water Charges Reduction Scheme, your own charge can be lower.
The annual limit is inflation plus 2.5%. From 2029–30, Scottish Water could seek a further 0.3% if it can show that costs outside its control, such as energy, justify the increase.
What Scottish Water is expected to deliver
The decision allows for around £7.9 billion of investment over six years. Among the targets for 2032–33 is a cut in leakage equivalent to 47 million litres of water a day. The regulator also expects fewer homes to experience sewer flooding and a 43% reduction in serious pollution incidents.
Source: 2027–33 Final Determination.
Sources
Sources checked on 13 November 2026.
Related guide: Average household water bills.