Water bills to increase in 2026 to help safeguard water supplies

Water bills will be rising next year by an average of almost £60 per household, as part of an ‘essential strategy’ by Jersey Water to safeguard current and future water supplies. The utility provider has set out its plans to address future water shortages and protect the Island’s water supply, in a new five-year strategy.

Water bills will increase from 1 January 2026, following which average households can expect to pay approximately £59 per year – or 16p per day – more for their water, with further above-average increases anticipated from 2027.

The utility company forecast that, within the next ten years, Jersey could face a potential water deficit of 8.6 million litres a day during severe drought, which is almost half the Island’s average daily supply. They say that climate change, limited water storage and forecast changes in population are all contributing factors that, without action now, could lead to Islanders experiencing water restrictions and emergency measures during dry periods.

As a result, Jersey Water will be spending around £48 million over the next five years on tackling future water shortages, by investing in a series of essential infrastructure upgrades. These include increasing the capacity of the existing desalination plant by 50% to provide a more robust drought contingency, as well as further reducing leakage with advanced detection and monitoring technologies, and renewing sections of the mains network.

The company will also be exploring other potential solutions for the future, including water recycling, a new reservoir or expanding an existing one, and making the desalination plant even bigger.

Helier Smith, Jersey Water’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are at a pivotal point for Jersey Water and the Island’s water supply. The important decisions and investments we make now will shape the future of water supply for all of us and for decades to come, as we respond to very real challenges, including the impact of climate change on our weather patterns, changing demographics, water quality challenges and finite water resources.

“We have seen all too well this summer, the fourth warmest on record for Jersey, just how vulnerable the Island is to drought. We have listened to what our customers need and expect from us and our priority, as it has always been, is to keep supplying them with water they can trust and rely upon, today and every day.

“We know that any bill increase will be difficult for some customers, especially in the current climate, but these are strategic investments to ensure we can continue to provide our critical public service, and we will provide support for customers experiencing financial hardship.”

Both the company’s 2030 strategy and its Water Resources and Drought Management Plan are available on Jersey Water's website, along with further details of next year’s pricing.