Published: 16 September 2026
From: Council tax and benefits
Every pound counts when household bills are rising, so it's good news that thousands of Crawley residents are now paying around 50 per cent less for their water.
Thanks to a partnership between Crawley Borough Council, Southern Water, South East Water and SES Water, 3,818 local households have been identified as eligible for reduced water tariffs and automatically enrolled onto support schemes. Together, the schemes are helping residents save hundreds of thousands of pounds on their water bills, with Southern Water customers alone saving a total of £569,800 which averages £154 per household. South East Water customers have saved a total of £23,502.24 (for drinking water).
The scheme is designed to make it easier for residents to access the financial help available to them that they may not be aware of. Rather than completing separate applications, households receiving Council Tax Reduction can be matched securely with water company support schemes, helping ensure that no one misses out on savings they are entitled to.
The project has already made a significant difference across Crawley. Southern Water has enrolled 3,700 customers onto its Essentials tariff, while South East Water has added 114 customers to its social tariff, offering discounts of at least 50 per cent depending on household income. SES Water has also enrolled four local customers onto its water support discount scheme.
The partnership is part of the council's wider work to support residents with the cost of living and help people access financial assistance that can make everyday bills more affordable. For many households, lower water bills could mean a little extra breathing space in the monthly budget, helping money go further when it's needed most.
We know that many households are feeling the pressure of rising living costs, so I am delighted that this partnership is helping thousands of Crawley residents reduce their water bills by around 50 per cent. By working closely with our water company partners, we have been able to make sure eligible residents receive the support they are entitled to without having to navigate complicated application processes. This initiative has already delivered significant savings for local people and is a great example of how organisations can work together to provide practical help where it is needed most. Every pound saved can make a real difference to family budgets, and we remain committed to supporting residents through the ongoing cost of living challenges.
Councillor Michael Jones
Leader
Crawley Borough Council
This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when organisations work together to support local communities. By partnering with Crawley Borough Council, South East Water and SES Water, we've been able to identify customers who may be entitled to financial support and make sure they're receiving the help available to them. Building on the success of similar partnerships in Thanet and Portsmouth, this project is helping to ease financial pressures and put money back into the pockets of more households across Crawley.
Nicola Chitty
Affordability and Vulnerability Lead
Southern Water
We recognise that some of our customers may have difficulty paying their water bills and we want to make sure it is as simple as possible for them to get the help that they need. By working with Crawley Borough Council, Southern Water and SES Water we’ve been able to identify those customers living in the Crawley area who may be entitled to financial support through our Social Tariff. This partnership is now helping households save up to 50 per cent on the cost of their water bills.
Sam Gawler
Vulnerability Manager
South East Water
Find out how Southern Water can help, including information on their Essentials Tariff.
Find out about South East Water's social tariff, including a simple link to find out if you might be eligible.
If you are struggling with the cost of living, visit Crawley Borough Council's help with money worries pages.
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