Sewerage bill hikes have left Hampshire residents facing charges up to 10 times higher than they were led to expect.
The bills, issued by housing association Aster for 2025/26, apply to households connected to Aster-managed sewerage treatment plants across the county and have sparked outrage from residents and public officials. One resident who was quoted £786.12 for 2024/25 has now been invoiced £1,593.24, while another, told to expect £427.80, was instead billed £4,308.84.
Cllr Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “Residents have budgeted in good faith based on the estimates Aster provided. To be hit with additional invoices of this scale, without any explanation or breakdown of costs, is simply indefensible. I will not let this rest.”
He has branded the unexpected and unexplained increases “completely unacceptable” and is demanding accountability from Aster.
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, also expressed frustration. Ms Nokes said: “Yet again Aster has demonstrated they have no grip over their own contracts. It appears that most bills are double what they had budgeted and in Oval Road residents are being whacked with bills that are ten times the estimate. It really does call into question Aster’s fiscal competence and their previous assurances and commitments seem to count for nothing. They are ripping off pensioners, young families and the vulnerable through their incompetence and callous disregard for how costs accrued will impact residents.”
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Cllr Adams-King has formally written to Aster requesting a full, transparent breakdown of annual sewerage accounts for all affected sites in Hampshire. Locations include Green Pond Lane in Ampfield, Lymer Villas in Upton, Cowleas Cottages in Awbridge, and several sites in Lockerley and nearby villages.
Although Aster acknowledged residents’ concerns during a meeting in November, the company has yet to provide meaningful answers or clarify the reasons behind the significant increases.
Cllr Adams-King is advising all affected residents to request a full cost breakdown from Aster, including supplier invoices, and to forward any responses to him to support further scrutiny. He said there appear to be widespread inconsistencies and encouraged everyone to check their bills carefully.
“These charges must be justified,” he said. “Residents deserve transparency, accuracy and fairness – not shock invoices and silence. I will continue pressing Aster until we have full answers and a fair resolution.”
A spokesperson for Aster said: “We have been contacted by a small number of customers with queries regarding sewage-related charges at some of our sites in Hampshire.
"We will ensure those customers are provided with a clear breakdown of charges and the costs applied, as well as seeing how we can support and advise on how to manage these charges, recognising that any increased costs can be a concern."
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