The average household water bill in Jersey will go up by around 3p a day from January 2022.

Jersey Water says charges will increase by around 3.5% because of 'upward pressures on costs.'

It's the first increase in excess of RPI in over ten years. The current published RPI is 2.9%.

The company says the price of water in Jersey has fallen, in real terms, by around 2.7% over the last ten years.

"The rising costs of energy, raw materials, labour, and transport have been well publicised in the media recently as industries react to the effects of Brexit, the pandemic and other macro-economic factors. The nature of Jersey Water’s activities means that price inflation in these areas has a direct impact on the company’s costs.

"We are mindful that water bill increases are never welcome, and we do what we reasonably can to offset rising costs. However, it is necessary for us to increase our prices by a modest amount and occasionally exceed RPI to maintain our ongoing and essential investment in the Island’s water supply.

"During 2022 and beyond, the company will be focussed on achieving further reductions in leakage, encouraging greater water efficiency, and developing additional water resources to safeguard water supplies in the future. These and further investments to maintain high water quality all build on the resilience and sustainability of Jersey’s water supply on which we all rely.

"Any customer worried about the impact of the increase or paying their water bill is encouraged to contact the Jersey Water Customer Services Team. The trained team are ready to work with and support any customer in financial hardship or who is having trouble paying their water bill." - Helier Smith, Chief Executive of Jersey Water.

Prices went up by 2.7% in 2020.

It was due to take effect in April, but it was delayed until July to help mitigate the impact of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.