How to reduce your water bill

A water meter means you pay for the water you use, rather than paying estimated bills based on the size of your home. It’s free to switch to one.

First check your water bill to see if you already have one. All homes in England and Wales built after 1990 will have one, and many more will have switched.

Generally, if there are fewer people living in your home than bedrooms, a water meter could save you money.

You can use the Consumer Council for Water's calculatorOpens in a new window to see how much you'd pay if you had a meter installed.

If you can save, here’s how it works:

1. Ask your water company to install a free water meter – you can normally apply online, by phone or by post. Water UK has a find your supplier toolOpens in a new window
   
   If you rent, it’s best to ask for the landlord’s permission first (you must ask if your contract is under six months).
2. Your water company will visit to see if it’s possible. If it is, they should fit it within three months. 
3. You normally have twelve months to change your mind. If your bills are higher, ask your provider to change your bills back – they won’t take the meter away, but they will change the way you’re charged.

If it’s not possible to fit a water meter, such as being too difficult or expensive to install, you’ll pay an assessed charge instead. This is based on an estimate of the bill you would pay if a meter was fitted.

The Consumer Council for Water has more information about assessed chargesOpens in a new window

If you receive certain benefits and need to use a high amount of water, you might qualify for the WaterSure scheme. This caps your water metered bill if you have:

• a certain medical condition, or
• three or more children aged under 19 in full time education.

Contact your water company to check and apply. You can find their details using Water UK’s find your supplier toolOpens in a new window

You can also sign up to the priority services registerOpens in a new window. This tells your water company that you might need extra help, such as:

• help reading your water meter 
• large print bills
• a nominated person to act on your behalf
• advance warning for when your water supply stops, or 
• arranging an emergency supply if your water is cut off. 

If you live in Scotland, you’ll usually pay your local council for water. For those that don’t, you’ll already have a water meter. You can ask Scottish WaterOpens in a new window to install a water meter, but you’ll have to pay the installation costs (which can be expensive). 

If you live in Northern Ireland, a water meter isn’t an option as you’ll pay water rates to Northern Ireland WaterOpens in a new window

If you have a water meter, reducing how much you use will get you cheaper bills. Here are some ideas and estimated annual savings from the Consumer Council for Water:

• collect shower or bath water to water plants
• reduce your showering time – five minutes less could save £200
• turn the tap off while you clean your teeth – saving £30 per person 
• use a water butt to collect free rain water.  

For more, see the rest of their water saving tipsOpens in a new window

Your water company might provide free devices to help you use less water, like special shower heads and taps. 

MoneySavingExpert has information on how to check what you can getOpens in a new window 

If you’re a low earner in England and Wales, you might qualify for your water company’s social tariff. This usually gives you a large discount on your bill, for example: 

• 15% to 90% off, or
• capped annual bills – a fixed maximum amount for the year. 

What you can get depends on your water company and their criteria. Some will let you apply if you earn less than a certain amount while others need you to be claiming certain benefits. 

See details of your water company’s social tariffOpens in a new window at the bottom of the Consumer Council for Water's site.

If you’re not sure who your supplier is, use Water UK’s find your supplier toolOpens in a new window first.

If you’re worried about paying your bill, ask your water company for help – ideally before missing a payment. For example, they could offer you: 

• a payment holiday (sometimes called a payment freeze)
• an adjusted payment plan
• advice on benefits and managing debts
• help applying for charitable grants.

For more information on the help you could get, see:

• Consumer Council for Water if you live in England or WalesOpens in a new window
• Turn2Us if you live in ScotlandOpens in a new window or Northern IrelandOpens in a new window