South West Water to trial seasonal and summer peak tariffs

South West Water is to trial two new tariffs that are designed to keep water use down in the summer, when demand is higher due to both hotter weather and the surge in visitors to Devon and Cornwall.

The Seasonal tariff will charge customers a lower rate between October and the end of March when demand is lower, with higher rates for the other six months, which the company said reflected the added cost of storing and supplying water during the peak usage period.

The Summer Peak tariff will offer a lower than normal base price for water during the summer, that increases once a usage threshold is met.

Both tariffs will begin on 1 October, with just under 3,500 household and non-household customers across Devon, Cornwall, Bristol and Bournemouth taking part. South West Water said those on social tariffs will be excluded, and those included will receive water saving support.

The two trials follow two others, launched earlier this year. The first was a new incentive issued on 1 February, whereby £30 would be credited to each customer if a 10% reduction in water use was seen across Cornwall by 5 May, or a £10 credit if demand reduced by 5% over the same period. The county hit the lower target and all household customers in Cornwall received a £10 credit.

The second was the Smart Saver tariff, which began in April and will run for two years. This offers a selection of customers in the Barnstaple area of Devon a cheaper rate for low consumption use, and higher rates for higher consumption.

South West is trialling tariffs that support fairer charging and promote lower water saving.