Wandsworth team highly commended for reducing water poverty in the Borough

From April 2025, over 1,000 eligible low-income Wandsworth households were automatically signed up for Thames Water’s WaterHelp discount, saving households an average of £348 a year – with no need to apply or fill in forms.

The council has worked with Thames Water and Policy in Practice to identify those who are eligible and automatically place them onto the cheaper rate social tariff.

The new scheme has benefited nearly 2,000 households and created £639,000 in savings for local people in Wandsworth and Richmond.

The team who built the scheme received a ‘highly commended’ award at the IRRV 2025 Performance Awards for Excellence in Partnership Working.

Lisa Poole, Assistant Director of Parking Compliance and Rent Collection Service, said: “I am delighted with the recognition of the value of this partnership.

“Through the collaborative use of data and technology, we have created a scheme that proactively supports vulnerable residents in water arrears without requiring them to ask for the support or navigate complex application processes”.

The council’s Cost of Living support scheme is London’s biggest and most generous. For more information about how the council is supporting local communities, please visit our Cost of Living hub or call 020 8871 6000 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.