Trial scheme for lower water bills to start in Barnstaple

South West Water is launching a trial scheme for Barnstaple customers to reduce their water bills by using less water. 

The trial, dubbed the Smart Saver tariff, promises to revolutionise billing practices by offering customers the chance to save money simply by reducing their water usage.

Scheduled to commence on April 1 in the Barnstaple area, SWW says this innovative trial marks a significant leap forward in the pursuit of fairer billing systems.

The Smart Saver tariff is designed to encourage customers to cut back on non-essential water consumption and lower their bills. 

The tariff operates on a tiered system, with cheaper rates for low consumption and increasing rates for higher usage. 

The company anticipates that around 90 per cent of participants will see a reduction in their bills as a direct result of the trial.

Laura Flowerdew, chief customer and digital officer at SWW said: "Our customers have told us they want us to find new ways of charging and to ensure that the bills they pay are fair, and reflective of the water they use. 

“The Smart Saver trial will allow us to understand what works well and what our customers consider to be fair ways of charging. We look forward to working with customers in Barnstaple on this exciting project over the next couple of years."

This initiative comes on the heels of the water company’s recent announcement of plans to trial four new tariffs across Devon and Cornwall by April 2025. 

The aim is to explore methods of making bills fairer for customers. 

The first tariff trial, which began on February 1, offers households in Cornwall a credit of up to £30 on their bill if the county collectively reduces its water consumption between the start of the trial and April 30, 2024.

South West Water intends to introduce two further tariff trials later this year.

Emily Bulman, director at water industry watchdog Ofwat, welcomed the trial and said: "It is vital that the water sector becomes more active and inventive in supporting customers who are struggling to make ends meet, as well as finding ways to help save water."

Andrew White, senior leader at CCW (Consumer Council for Water), echoed this sentiment: "Innovation in charging has the potential to make bills more affordable, as well as protecting our environment by helping customers understand how much water they use and how they can use a bit less."

To support customers participating in the Smart Saver trial with reducing their water consumption, South West Water will offer water efficiency advice and free water-saving devices.