Struggling with your water bill? You could get up to 90% off from your supplier – here's how to check if you're eligible
Hundreds of thousands of households in England and Wales could be eligible for up to 90% off their water bill by switching to a discounted tariff provided by their supplier. If you're struggling, we've rounded up below what each supplier has to offer and how to check if you're eligible and apply.
Earlier this month Anglian Water announced it was providing an additional £135 million in funding for discounted tariffs for low income households, meaning they'll pay up to 50% less on water bills. And while you can't switch water supplier – you're locked in to using the water and sewerage company that supplies your area – almost all water suppliers offer a similar type of tariff. See our table below for what your water supplier offers.
Water bills work differently in Scotland, while there's no domestic charge in Northern Ireland. See our Cutting water bills guide for more info and help on how to slash your water and sewerage bills.
Chris Newlands, News and Investigations Editor at MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "Water bills make up a significant part of people's monthly outgoings and so it is great to know there is help out there for those who are struggling, with some providers now offering up to 90% off bills as the cost of living crisis worsens.
"Applying doesn’t take long and most suppliers have set up easy systems to help with this process. However, for some you’ll need to provide proof of income and any benefits you receive."
Supplier-by-supplier list of discounted tariffs for those on certain benefits or on a low income
Below is a round-up of all the discounted tariffs on offer and full eligibility criteria:
Water supplier | Level of discount | Eligibility | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
Affinity Water | Bill capped at £107.20/year | Household income of less than £16,480, excluding benefits OR You receive one of the following benefits: - Housing benefit- Income-related employment and support allowance - Income support - Jobseeker's allowance - Pension credit - Universal credit | Apply online or send a WhatsApp message to 07971 013368. You need to provide your postcode and evidence of your benefits and/or income |
Anglian Water | Up to 50% off bills | You need to be on a meter, or paying measured charges if you can't have a meter, and undertake an affordability assessment | Apply online or call 0800 232 1963. You need proof of household income |
Bristol Water | Up to 88% off bills | You need to be on a low income or in financial difficulty – for example, receiving help from a debt adviser – and undertake an affordability assessment | Apply online. You need proof of income and details of any debt management plans |
Bournemouth Water | Bill capped at £141.10/year | You need to be on a water meter, or paying measured charges if you can't have a meter AND Be receiving one of the following benefits: - Child tax credit - Housing benefit - Income-related employment and support allowance - Income support - Jobseeker's allowance - Pension credit - Working tax credit - Universal credit AND Have three or more children under 19 living with you for whom you're receiving child benefit OR You, or someone living in your home, has a medical condition that means you have to use extra water | Download the application form (PDF) or call 01202 590059 |
Cambridge Water | 60% off bills in year one, then 40% off in year two | You receive the 'guarantee element' of pension credit OR You have household income of less than £19,050, excluding certain benefits | |
Dŵr Cymru | Bill capped at £266.47/yr | At least one person in the household must receive a means-tested benefit AND You must have a low household income | Apply online. You may need proof of income and you'll need to reapply for the discount every 12 months |
Essex and Suffolk Water | Up to 50% off bills | You have a household income of less than £17,005, or £20,111 if you live in London, and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income OR You, or someone you live with, receives pension credit and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income OR Your income doesn't cover your essential bills and you're on a debt management plan | Email supportplus@nwl.co.uk. You need to provide proof of household income |
Hafren Dyfrdwy | Up to 90% off bills | You have a household income of less than £18,278, excluding benefits | Apply online or call 0800 085 305. You need proof of income and need to reapply for the discount every 12 months |
Hartlepool Water | Up to 50% off bills | You need to be on a meter, or paying measured charges if you can't have a meter, and undertake an affordability assessment | Apply online or call 0800 232 1963. You need proof of household income |
Northumbrian Water | Up to a 50% reduction on your bill | You have a household income of less than £17,005 and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income OR You, or someone you live with, receives pension credit and your annual bill costs more than 3% of your net household income OR Your income doesn't cover your essential bills and you're on a debt management plan | Email supportplus@nwl.co.uk. You need to provide proof of household income |
Portsmouth Water | Bill capped at £82.73/year | You have household income of less than £17,005, excluding benefits | Download the application form (PDF). You may need to provide proof of income |
SES Water | 50% off bills | Your annual gross income is less than £16,480 outside London, or less than £20,111 in London, excluding certain benefits | Apply online. You may need to provide proof of income |
Severn Trent Water | Up to 90% off bills | You have household income of less than £18,278, excluding benefits | Apply online. You'll need proof of income and any benefits you receive |
South East Water | Bill capped at £157.78/year | You have household income of less than £16,480, excluding certain benefits | Call 0800 952 4000 or send a message and request a callback. You may need proof of income |
South Staffs Water | 60% off bills in year one, then 40% off in year two | You receive the 'guarantee element' of pension credit OR You have household income of less than £19,050, excluding certain benefits | Download the application form (PDF). You need to provide proof of income |
South West Water | 15% to 85% off bills | You need to be on a water meter AND You, or someone you live with, needs to be claiming one of these means-tested benefits: - Housing benefit- Income-based employment and support allowance - Income-based jobseeker's allowance - Income support - Pension credit (guarantee element) - Universal credit | Download the application form (PDF) or call 0344 346 1010. You may need to provide proof of income |
Southern Water | At least 45% off bills | You have household income of less than £21,000, excluding certain benefits OR You, or someone you live with, receives pension credit | Complete this online form or call 0800 027 0363. You may need to provide proof of income |
Thames Water | 50% off bills | You have household income of less than £16,480 outside London, or below £20,111 in London | Download the application form. You need to provide proof of income |
United Utilities | Bill capped at £258/year or £366/year depending on how many people you live with | You receive pension credit | Apply online. You may need to provide proof of benefits and household income |
Annual bill reduced by between £90 and £492 | You need to be claiming at least one of these means-tested benefits: - Child tax credit - Council tax reduction/support - Housing benefit - Income-based jobseeker's allowance - Income-related employment and support allowance - Income support - Pension credit - Universal credit - Working tax credit AND You are in arrears with your previous year's water bill and/or you have household income of less than £21,000 if the reason you're applying is due to a recent life event | ||
Wessex Water | Bill reduced based on your ability to pay - up to 90% off | You'll need to be receiving financial advise from a debt charity or adviser | Apply online. You'll need to provide the details of your debt advise to help build your bill. You'll need to provide any evidence of bills, income and debts or savings you have. |
Bill reduced by £60 | You, and all adults in your household, receive Pension Credit or the state pension is your, and other adults living at your household, only income | You can apply online or call 0345 600 3600 | |
Yorkshire Water | Bill capped at £350/year | You are on a low income and your yearly bill is more than £350 | Complete the application form (PDF) or call 01274 250542 |
You can also get your bills capped via the WaterSure scheme
If you don't qualify for the help above, it may also be possible to get a reduced or capped bill through the national WaterSure scheme, available through all water companies.
To be eligible, you must have a water meter and have three or more children under the age of 19 in full-time education, or live with someone with a medical condition that means they use extra water.
You (or someone living with you) will also need to receive one of the following benefits:
Child tax credit (except families receiving the family element only)
Housing benefit
Income-based jobseeker's allowance
Income-related employment and support allowance
Income support
Pension credit
Universal credit
Working tax credit
If you're accepted, your bills will be capped, so regardless of how much water you use, you won't pay more than your supplier's average household cost. Typical savings can be about £250 a year. To sign up, contact your supplier for an application form.
Also check if you're eligible for help paying for water arrears in our Housing and energy grants guide.
Other ways to save on your water bill
Help from the water companies is not the only way you could pay less. If you don't qualify, try
Switching to a free water meter. Some could save hundreds by switching to a free water meter rather than paying a fixed bill. This typically applies if there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or the same number. See our Cut your water bills guide for more info. To get a water meter installed, head to your provider's website and see if you can apply – you'll usually need to fill in an application form – or give it a call and ask.
If you already have a water meter, double-check your direct debit to make sure your usage is correct and you aren't overpaying.
Asking for an assessed charge bill. If you can't get a water meter, you can ask for an 'assessed charge bill'. This is worked out on details such as how many people live in your home, but varies from company to company.
Checking if you're owed a sewage rebate. If your home isn't connected to the public sewer, you don't need to pay waste water charges – see our MSE News story for how to check and challenge your bills.
Using less water. See if you can get free water saving gadgets. And see MoneySavers top tips to cut your usage.
If you're having trouble paying your water bill and have fallen into debt, contact your water company to see what help it can offer. All companies offer some kind of support – this can be anything from providing repayment plans, discounts or even a cap on how much you pay, as we've outlined above.
Share this guide?
3 December 2024
Clever ways to calculate your finances
