Welsh Water encourages customers to ask for help and adopt water-smart habits in 2022

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed that a record number of households – 140,000 – now receive financial support from the company to pay their bills.

People in Wales faced financial challenges in 2021 including the ending of Covid-19 furlough schemes, changes to benefit payments and the rising cost of energy.

Welsh Water – the only not-for-profit water company in England and Wales – says that making small changes at home could not only help its customers save money but could also see them save water and help protect the environment for the long-term.

The company has released some advice in a bid to help people save water, save money, and stay safe during the colder months:

• Ask for help. Welsh Water has a range of tariffs and schemes to support people who are struggling to pay their bills. Customers facing financial difficulty should contact the company to ask for support. Alternatively, customers can familiarise themselves with the options and apply for help online at com/helpwithbills
• Go paperless with online bills. Making a change by opting for paperless bills by signing up to My Account not only helps save paper but also means customers can stay on top of their bills and keep an eye on their water consumption habits.

• Keep your loved ones safe. Welsh Water’s Priority Services Register offers additional free services for anyone who needs a different kind of support; like accessible bills or bottled water delivered if there’s ever an interruption to their water supply. These services could help anyone from a person living with a disability or illness, a family with young children, or an elderly or isolated neighbour. Find out more about these free services at dwrcymru.com/priorityservices.
  
• Use water wisely. Saving water helps protect the environment; the less everyone uses, the less chemicals and energy water companies need to use to clean it and return it to rivers and seas. Customers can make every drop count by doing things like taking showers instead of baths and only filling the kettle with as much water as they need to boil. This not only helps save water but reduces the energy needed to heat the water to begin with. The Welsh Water Get Water Fit calculator will help customers with some hints and tips on how to save water and has access to some handy free water saving products for the home. Visit www.dwrcymru.com/getwaterfit

Sam James, Managing Director of Household Customer Services at Welsh Water, said: “It’s always a good idea to practice good habits when it comes to water; whether that’s reducing your usage, or taking control of your finances. There’s no better time than a new year to decide to make a small change that could have a big impact.

“We know that many people may be going into 2022 feeling particularly worried about their finances, which is why we especially want to remind our customers that we are here to help if you’re struggling financially. We understand that the past twelve months have been challenging for many people, and our highly trained teams are waiting to provide expert advice and support.

“We have a range of financial support options that can help get customers back on track. All anyone need to do is reach out, whether that’s through a phone call or by accessing our support services online.”