If you live in Mid Sussex, particularly around Haywards Heath or Burgess Hill, you might have recently received a water bill that's left you speechless—or even angry.
You're not alone. After researching South East Water’s recent announcements, reviewing their official website, and speaking directly with residents, I was stunned to see exactly what's been happening behind these dramatic rises.
A Shocking Increase—Not Just “Average” South East Water price increase Mid Sussex
South East Water claims an “average” daily cost rise from about 67p per day last year to 81p per day now, marking roughly a 20% jump.
They casually mention it's "less than the cost of a second-class stamp"—but seriously, when did stamps become a benchmark for essentials like water? South East Water price increase Mid Sussex
This kind of comparison feels misleading and dismissive when the reality for many Mid Sussex residents is far worse.
Having spoken directly with locals across Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath, I’ve discovered that many customers have experienced much higher hikes—in some cases, between 30% and 40%. The term “average” clearly masks the reality for many individual households.
One local resident I spoke to shared their bill, which had leaped around 35% compared to the previous year. It's no wonder local social media pages are buzzing with disbelief and frustration.
The Hidden Reality—Water Quality Concerns
Now, I won’t deny we’re fortunate enough to have access to "clean" water. However, as a plumbing specialist at Matthews Plumbing in Haywards Heath, I regularly see a different side to this story.
I frequently visit local homes with blocked filters and strainers packed with sediment, metal filings, sand, grit—you name it. The quality simply isn’t up to the standard we'd expect, particularly given these ever-increasing charges.
Even more concerning, when inspecting loft water tanks—even those we’ve cleaned in recent years—I'm constantly finding layers of unpleasant sediment accumulating rapidly. On top of this, many locals regularly comment on changes in water taste and smell, a decline that's been noticeable over recent years.
If we're being asked to pay significantly more, we at least deserve a reliable, high-quality water supply.
Profits, Bonuses, and Executive Pay—A Shocking Disconnect
Here’s the kicker—despite these steep hikes and quality issues, South East Water executives continue to reward themselves handsomely. My research uncovered staggering financial practices:
South East Water executives collectively received approximately £1.7 million over the past two years, including substantial bonuses—even when their customers faced water outages, leaks, and hosepipe bans.
A £9 million dividend was paid out to shareholders last year alone, even during periods where the company faced significant operational issues and losses.
Historically, between 2020 and 2021, dividends reached an astonishing £147 million, highlighting a disturbing disconnect between customer needs and shareholder profits.
At a time when Mid Sussex residents are struggling with rising living costs across the board, these figures are beyond belief.
South East Water vs Other UK Providers—Is it Fair?
After reviewing data from Ofwat and comparing water companies across the UK, I found that South East Water is not alone in price rises—but it’s certainly one of the more aggressive. In Mid Sussex, residents often face dual bills from both South East Water (for supply) and Southern Water (for wastewater). This dual hit places our local area among the hardest hit in the country.
Here's a quick look at planned increases over the next five years:
Water Company | Increase (2025–2030) |
Southern Water | +53% |
Thames Water | +35% |
South East Water | +24% |
SES Water | –3% (reduction) |
Southern Water’s staggering 53% increase combined with South East Water’s 24% rise creates a crushing burden for local households.
Profiteering From a Necessity—Why It's Wrong
Water isn’t a luxury—it’s an absolute necessity. Using it to maximise profits, dividends, and bonuses at the expense of local residents feels fundamentally wrong. After looking closely into South East Water’s finances, it’s clear to me—and likely to many of you—that there’s a deeply concerning disconnect between what customers are experiencing and how the company manages its revenue.
The local outcry on community platforms and in personal conversations I've had reflects genuine distress. People in Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill aren’t merely frustrated—they’re anxious about how they'll manage these additional financial burdens. To see this anxiety dismissed by vague “average” figures or comparisons to postal stamps feels disrespectful.
My Personal Take—Enough Is Enough
Yes, we have clean water, but we deserve better quality. We deserve to know precisely what we're paying for and exactly where our money goes. We should never feel like mere sources of revenue, used to fund excessive bonuses and shareholder dividends, especially when the fundamental service quality is debatable.
We’re at a tipping point. With enough public pressure, we can demand clearer transparency, improved quality standards, and better oversight of executive payments and shareholder returns.
I encourage everyone reading this to talk about it openly, challenge your bills, demand accountability from these companies, and support local initiatives calling for change. Matthews Plumbing in Haywards Heath regularly helps residents deal with water-quality issues, so I've seen firsthand the frustration these situations cause.
South East Water—if you're reading this—your customers deserve better. It's time to listen.
Take Action—How You Can Respond
Check your bill carefully, and if your increase is significantly higher than the average, voice your concerns directly to South East Water.
Contact local MPs or councillors about this issue; public pressure makes a real difference.
Take advantage of any available support schemes or social tariffs provided by South East Water for lower-income households.
Together, we can demand fairness and accountability in how our water services operate.
References & Useful Links:
South East Water Annual Financial Reports
South East Water Customer Support and Tariffs