Water bills rise by up to 40% in parts of Normandy

Residents of several Normandy communes are protesting after a sudden rise in water bills, with some households reporting increases of up to 40%.

The increase in water costs is affecting residents in several communes around Caen (Calvados), where water company Saur has sent out bills covering 2025.

One mother in Colombelles saw her bill increase to €1,330, €400 more than in 2024. 

The cost of drinking water distribution increased from €383 to €537, and wastewater collection from €362 to €549, stated the breakdown sent to her.

Another resident saw her bill increase by €337 in nearby Cambes-en-Plaine.

“Last year, there were five fewer people in our household compared to 2024. I didn't install a swimming pool. No watering the garden. No leaks. We checked everything. Now they're telling me I used 100 cubic meters more water, that's impossible,” she told local media France3.

“I’ve lived in the same house for 19 years. I’m a single mother with my daughter. Until 2023, my consumption was 99 m³ per year, and in 2024, it jumped to 163 m³,” said another angry resident from nearby Fleury-sur-Orne.

Some residents have asked their banks to stop direct debit payments for water bills until the issue is resolved.

Saur said it “is aware of the potential impact on some households… [and] supports users in understanding their bills and, if necessary, sets up suitable payment solutions.”

New meters responsible?

Unlike cases of sudden water bills increasing for a single household – usually due to a leak or other issue – this price jump was recorded across several areas. 

Following complaints by residents, including an online petition signed by hundreds, Saur looked into the issue and said a leak was potentially responsible. However, no leak was found after an investigation. 

The company maintains that the increase is an automatic increase and not a manual one.

Increases “are mainly due to an exceptional adjustment to the billing cycle related to the deployment of remote meter reading. The bill issued in early 2026 may therefore cover up to 15 months of actual consumption, instead of the usual 12 months,” it was quoted as saying in media Midi Libre. 

Local officials are unhappy with the response.

“We have households that are unable to pay; it's handled on a case-by-case basis, and we're receiving collective responses. Why billing over 14 or 15 months? And the residents weren't notified beforehand," said mayor of Colombelles Marc Pottier to France3.

These new metres, similar to Linky meters for electricity consumption, can be read remotely by providers. 

However, they have been criticised by residents, who claim they are unreliable.

“I've noticed that my monthly consumption reading from this new meter is pretty much the same, even when I'm on holiday for two weeks. With these meters, you can break down the bill day by day, and there are days when no consumption is recorded, even though I'm home,” said one resident of Pont-sur-Seulles. 

Previous readings incorrect

Authorities also point to false readings by previous operators.

“In some areas… served by Veolia until the end of 2022, estimates were recorded, but not actual readings in 2021 and 2022. There were as many overestimates as underestimates,” said director of the water cycle at the Caen Basin Water Authority Géraldine Rouland.

“This means that some water consumption was likely underestimated for a long time, sometimes overestimated, hence the surprises with the implementation of automatic monthly meter readings,” she added.

Saur manages tap water services on behalf of the authority.

This response has been deemed unsatisfactory by local officials. 

New water taxes introduced in 2025 have also seen costs rise by around 15%, and apply to all households regardless of the company responsible for water supply. 

They are set to rise further in 2026.

The taxes, which are used to pay for reducing water pollution and improving France’s water infrastructure, have been criticised. 

“We are currently running a national campaign to collect signatures for a petition about problems with water bills. The government spends €1 billion a year cleaning up water pollution. This increases the price for everyone, even though only a portion of people are actually polluting,” said president of the Caen branch of consumer watchdog UFC Que Choisir Gérard Daniel.