Thousands of pensioners are limiting how often they flush the toilet, shower or use washing machines as they struggle to afford water bills, a report warns.
A survey for charity Independent Age found that 40% of those living on incomes below £15,000 a year were cutting down on water use.
Yvonne Bailey is among those who fear falling into “water poverty” if her bills rise next year. The 79-year-old lives in social housing in Oxfordshire.
She said: “I am already reducing how often I flush the toilet and I put the washing machine on shorter cycles. What else can I do to cut down?
“I am on Pension Credit and have a very small income, I am barely getting by as it is. I have spent years worrying about my energy bills, and now I am just as concerned about water.”
Water poverty is defined as a household spending more than 3% of their income after housing costs on water.
In the survey of 1,000 adults, 45% said they had reduced their washing machine usage and 44% had reduced the amount they were flushing the toilet.
Three in ten were booking their kettles less and 28% had reduced how often they shower.
Around 750,000 pensioner households in England and Wales were already living in water poverty in 2022/23, according to Independent Age. That figure is projected to rise to one million by 2029/30.
All water companies offer a social tariff to reduce water bills for those on low income – but each sets their own eligibility rules.
Ahead of Ofwat announcing its final determinations for the 2024 price review next week, the charity is urging the Government to introduce a single social tariff for water in England and Wales.
Its research found that a standardised social tariff could lift between 292,000 and 578,000 older people out of poverty, depending on the model used.
Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson said the projected increase in water poverty “can’t be allowed to happen”.
She added: “Living in water poverty means cutting down on washing, laundry, flushing the toilet and boiling the kettle. It’s not right that so many older people feel like they have no choice but to make these cutbacks.
“Our research shows just how impactful a single social tariff for England and Wales would be, to support people who don’t have enough money to pay their water bills and to end the current postcode lottery.
“Where you live shouldn’t dictate how much financial support you receive.”
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