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Story summary
- Ofwat considers surge pricing for water during droughts.
- Drought hits 71.3% of England after July’s driest month in 190 years, prompting eight water firms to impose bans on 27 million people.
- Bills rose 5.4% in April 2026 after a 26% jump last year as Ofwat approved £104 bn investment by 2030, £1-£43 to charges.
- Anglian Water’s trial cut use by half while other firms test 50% higher rates, creating a “water poor” class.
