A new YouGov poll commissioned by the charity Independent Age reveals that almost half of older adults living on a low income in England and Wales are cutting back on their water usage in an attempt to reduce household bills. The survey found that 46% of people aged 65 and over reported reducing their spending on water either a great deal or a fair amount during the first half of 2025. Many have resorted to measures such as using the washing machine less frequently, cutting back on showers, and limiting toilet flushes.
The research highlights the widespread anxiety among older people facing financial hardship, with 43% saying they are worried about affording their water bills over the next six months. Independent Age has warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could escalate, with its 2024 research projecting that the number of older people living in water poverty could rise from 750,000 to nearly one million by 2029/30.
To address this growing crisis, the charity is calling for the introduction of a national social tariff for water, ensuring consistent financial support for people of all ages on low incomes. While all water companies are currently required to offer some form of social tariff, the levels of support and eligibility criteria vary widely. Independent Age argues that this creates a postcode lottery in which where someone lives determines the extent of help they can access.
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, stressed that older people should not be forced into such extreme measures in a wealthy society. She warned of a “tsunami of water poverty” if the government fails to act, pointing to testimonies from older people who have already limited washing, stopped filling kettles, or avoided flushing toilets to save money. The charity has welcomed the Independent Water Commission’s recommendation to introduce a national tariff and is urging the UK Government to implement it without delay.
The human impact of the crisis was illustrated by Judith Howard, a 78-year-old from London, who shared her experience of rationing water use. She described how she has given up baths, no longer uses her washing machine, and restricts flushing the toilet to keep bills down. She explained that a national social tariff could change her life, expressing the daily struggles faced by many older people living in water poverty.
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