Ofwat has published an Analysis of household customer debt. The report This document outlines key statistics on debt for household customers in England and Wales.

The regulator is aiming to increase transparency for customers and wider stakeholders, and to enable companies to manage customer debt more effectively. It follows work by Ofwat and the sector to improve definitions and consistency of reporting of debt metrics.

The data shows that the total debt for household water bills across England and Wales for households amounts to over £2 billion. As of March 2024, approximately 8.2% of household customers were in payment arrears, with the average amount owed to their water company being approximately £822.

Further, approximately half of water bill payers have struggled with household bills over the past 12 months, with one in five water bill payers finding it difficult to pay their water bill. In addition, two-thirds of bill payers remain unaware of the financial support available from their water company.