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Cut your water bills
Big meter savings, freebies & more
Updated 2 September 2024
Water is the forgotten utility – many think they can't save, but we've seen successes from those who have slashed £100s off their bills by fitting water meters and cutting down on how much they use. Plus there's help for those struggling... we round up all the ways to cut costs in this guide.
Water bills could rise by £100 on average over the next five years
Every April, water companies change the rates they charge customers. While typically rates go up, occasionally some reduce bills by a small amount.
Water regulator Ofwat has announced new proposals that'll allow water firms to increase bills by an average of about £100 across England and Wales over the next five years, starting from April 2025. The aim is to "reduce pollution, improve customer service, river and bathing water quality" as well as tackle climate change.
So from April 2025, most bills will rise, yet there's a huge variance based on where you live. Below is our firm-by-firm breakdown of what your water bill could be by 2030 (excluding inflation):
Proposed water bill changes from 2025 based on average use – England & Wales
| Water and wastewater companies | 2024/25 actual cost | 2029/30 proposed cost | Change in cost | % change |
| Anglian Water | £491 | £557 | +£66 | 13% |
| Dŵr Cymru | £466 | £603 | +£137 | 29% |
| Hafren Dyfrdwy | £396 | £524 | +£128 | 32% |
| Northumbrian Water | £415 | £460 | +£45 | 11% |
| Severn Trent Water | £403 | £496 | +£93 | 23% |
| Southern Water | £420 | £603 | +£183 | 44% |
| South West Water (1) | £497 | £561 | +£64 | 13% |
| Thames Water | £436 | £535 | +£99 | 23% |
| United Utilities | £442 | £536 | +£94 | 21% |
| Wessex Water | £508 | £497 | -£12 | -2% |
| Yorkshire Water | £430 | £537 | +£107 | 25% |
| INDUSTRY AVERAGE | £441 | £535 | +£94 | 21% |
| Water-only firms (you'll be billed for sewerage separately by one of the companies above) | ||||
| Affinity Water | £192 | £203 | +£11 | 6% |
| Portsmouth Water | £114 | £135 | +£21 | 18% |
| South East Water | £230 | £248 | +£18 | 8% |
| South Staffs Water | £161 | £183 | +£22 | 14% |
| SES Water | £221 | £187 | -£34 | -15% |
| Water-only companies – average | £191 | £204 | +£12 | 6% |
Source: Ofwat. The household bill is an average across all customers. Individual bills may differ due to household characteristics, for example, if they've a water meter. Changes to bills will vary by company. Figures do not include inflation.
(1) Since April 2013, South West Water customers have benefited from a government contribution, which reduces their bill by £50/year. This £50 reduction is applied to the combined average bill in this table. Without the government contribution, South West Water's combined average bill would be about £536.
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Water bills – the forgotten utility, but you can still save
People assume that because you can't switch water company, you can't save. Yet huge savings are still possible. Read our nine need-to-knows to get you started...
Prefer to watch rather than read? Watch Martin Lewis explain how you can save up to £1,000 a year on your water bills, on ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live:
Martin explains how you can save up to £1,000 a year on your water bills.
Embedded YouTube Video
The clip above is from The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, which aired on Tuesday 16 January 2024, used with permission from ITV Studios. All rights reserved. You can also watch the full episode on ITVX.
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In England and Wales? Some could slash water bills by switching to a meter
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As you can’t switch between firms, the most important decision is how you're billed. In England and Wales, there are two ways:
- Your bills are estimated, so you pay a fixed amount depending on your home's size. Your bill will be based on your home's 'rateable value'.
- You have a water meter, so you only pay for what you use. Since 1990, all new homes have been fitted with water meters and you can get one for free on request.
In Scotland or Northern Ireland? Water bills are based on council tax bands and included in a 'combined service charge' along with other services if you're in Scotland, and there are no domestic water charges in Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, it's not free to have a water meter installed (it's actually quite pricey), so unless you live alone in a manor-type property, you should stick to estimated payments. There are no domestic water charges in Northern Ireland, so no need for a meter.
How much can you save?
It varies depending on your household's usage, but also your water company. Remember, you can always try it to see if it saves you money. Most have up to two years to change back free of charge – so if it doesn't work out, ditch it.
![CCW – the voice for water consumers.]()
Free water meter calculator
The Consumer Council for Water has a free water meter calculator that tells you if you can save with a meter.
It asks questions about your water use – for example, how many people live in your home, the number of showers taken a week, your dishwasher use and what you're paying at the moment – then tells you your estimated costs if you have a meter.
If it's less than what you're paying now, you could be quids in.
Alternatively, ask the water company
For a more accurate, albeit time-consuming comparison, call your water company and ask for its calculator, as this'll be the best indicator of whether you'll save.
And here's a MoneySaving success to wet your appetite...
My last water bill had risen to £1,600 a year – I took your advice, had a meter installed and now pay just over £250 annually, saving over £1,000 a year without changing the way I use water. Why didn't I get one before? Especially as I am now on my own.
- Marie - Your bills are estimated, so you pay a fixed amount depending on your home's size. Your bill will be based on your home's 'rateable value'.
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Refused a meter? Get an assessed bill
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Water companies must fit meters for free on request (not in Scotland or Northern Ireland) unless it's justifiably impractical, such as flats with shared pipes. You can appeal against the decision if a water company says it won't fit a meter, by going to the regulator Ofwat.
If the water company actually can't fit a meter and your water usage is limited, 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.
Some companies don't base assessed charges on the number of people living in the house, but instead offer a single occupancy rate. The most common assessed charges are based on:
- The number of bedrooms in your property.
- The type of property you live in.
- The number of people who live in the property.
- A fixed charge based on the average metered bill in your company's area.
Jake emailed us after Thames Water told him they couldn't fit a water meter at his home:
They said they'd put me on an assessed household charge and my bill would go from £567 to £370 and I'd remain unmetered. Almost a £200 saving!
- JakeMSE weekly email
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Check if you qualify for a social tariff
If you're on a low income (up to about £21,000 a year), you may be able to access a social tariff. All water companies offer them, and they can slash as much as 90% off your bill by lowering or even capping what you pay, whether you have a water meter or not – though some also require you to be on certain benefits. About 5.7 million households are eligible, but have yet to claim, missing out on an estimated average of £160 a year.
Apply by contacting your water company. It will assess your circumstances by asking about your income and situation, and it'll make sure you get the support you're entitled to. One MoneySaver, Eunice, contacted her water company, Anglian Water, and emailed us her success:
I have been switched from a WaterSure tariff to the Extra Lite [social] tariff which has taken my bill down to £9 a month instead of £38 a month, and I have a rebate of £190.94 as they backdated it. Thank you so much for highlighting this.
- EuniceWe've a full list of what's available from each company in the table below:
Water company and scheme Key eligibility criteria What can you get? - Lift
You have a household income of £18,725 a year or less, excluding benefits
OR
You receive one of the listed benefits
Annual bill capped at £119.50 (£79.70 if you get council tax reduction/support) Anglian Water
- LiteYou need to have your finances assessed Up to 50% off annual bill Bournemouth Water
- WaterCareYou need to be on a meter or assessed charges
AND
You or someone in your home receives one of these means-tested benefits
AND
Your 'equivalised' weekly income, after housing costs, must be less than £295 (1)
AND
Your water bill should represent more than 5% of your equivalised income after housing costs
Between 15% and 85% off annual bill - Assist
You need to be on a low income and have your finances assessed.
If all adults in your household receive Pension Credit, you may qualify for a discount of about 20% off your bill
Up to 88% off annual bill
Cambridge Water
- AssureYou receive Pension Credit 'guarantee element'
OR
You have a household income of £20,050 a year or less, excluding certain benefits (2)
60% bill reduction in first year, 40% reduction in year two (3)
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
- HelpuYou receive an income-related benefit and have a household income (excluding certain benefits) of less than:
- £11,600 a year for a one-person household
- £17,400 a year for a two-person household
- £18,800 a year for a household of three or more
Annual bill capped at £290.03 (£116.52 for water, £173.51 for sewerage) Essex and Suffolk
- SupportPlusYou have a household income of £23,933 a year or less, and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments)
OR
Someone in your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments)
Up to 50% off annual bill Hafren Dyfrdwy
- Here2HelpThe scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any customer depending on the size of their household and household income Up to 70% off annual bill Northumbrian
- SupportPlus
You have a household income of £23,933 a year or less and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments)
OR
Someone in your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments)
Up to 50% off annual bill Portsmouth
- Helping Hand tariffYou are on certain benefits
OR
You have an income of £21,000 a year or less, excluding certain benefits
Annual bill capped at £91.12 SES
- Water SupportYou have a household income of £18,725 a year (or £23,933 a year if you live in a London borough), or less Up to 50% off annual bill Severn Trent
- Big DifferenceYou have a household income of £20,048 a year or less. Those with child dependants may qualify for an additional income allowance Up to 70% off annual bill South East Water
- The Social TariffYou have a household income of £18,725 a year or less, excluding certain benefits
Annual bill capped at £182.82 or £146.94, depending on where you live Southern Water
- Essentials tariffYou have a household income of less than £21,000 (excluding certain benefits) and you have savings of less than £16,000
OR
Someone in your household receives Pension Credit.
Between 45% and 90% discount on annual bill
South Staffs
- AssureYou receive the Pension Credit 'guarantee element'
OR
You have a household income of less than £19,050 a year, excluding certain benefits (2)
60% bill reduction in first year, 40% reduction in subsequent years (3)
South West
- WaterCareYou'll need to be on a meter or on assessed charges
AND
You or someone in your home receives one means-tested benefit
AND
Your 'equivalised' weekly income, after housing costs, must be less than £295 (1)
AND
Your bill should represent more than 5% of your equivalised income after housing costs
Between 15% and 85% off annual bill Thames Water
- WaterHelpIf your water bill is more than 5% of your net income, you may be eligible for WaterHelp (depending on how many people live at your property)
Up to 50% off annual bill United Utilities
- Help to Pay- Back on Track
You must receive at least one income-related benefit
AND
Be in arrears with previous years' water charges or have a household income of less than £21,000 a year (if applying due to a recent life event)
OR
You receive Pension Credit
Depending on your individual circumstances your water bill will be capped at a lower amount for the year (4)
For those receiving Pension Credit, annual bill capped at £282 or £402
- Assist
- Discount for low-income pensioners
Based on ability to pay. You don't need to receive benefits to apply but you need to have sought independent financial advice before applying
All adults in the household receive Pension Credit
OR
State pension is the only household income
Up to 90% off annual bill
Annual bill reduced by around £55 every year. You don't need to reapply each year or if you move home- WaterSupport
You're on a low income with an annual bill of more than £364
Annual bill capped at £364 Table correct as of September 2024. (1) 'Equivalised income' is adjusted to reflect the size of a household. For example, an income of £200 is worth more to a single person than it would be to a family with three children. (2) Families with children have an additional allowance of £1,500 per child added to the household income threshold. (3) If claimants have no income (while waiting for a Universal Credit application to be processed) then charges will be fully waived for eight weeks. The 60% reduction will then apply for the remainder of the first year. (4) United Utilities offers customers a payment break until they receive their first Universal Credit (UC) payment. Once receiving UC, customers may qualify for a social tariff, lowering their bill, and are offered the option to extend their repayment period.
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On benefits and live in a metered household? Some could get capped bills through the WaterSure scheme
If you have a water meter, it may also be possible to get a reduced or capped bill through the national WaterSure scheme, available through all water companies.
To qualify, you (or someone living with you) must be receiving at least one eligible benefit AND have either three or more children under the age of 19 in full-time education, or have a medical condition that means you use extra water.
The eligible benefits are:
- 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.
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Not eligible for a social tariff or WaterSure? Get help from your supplier if you're struggling to pay
If you don't qualify for a social tariff or the WaterSure scheme and you're struggling to pay, call your water company and ask for help. All providers offer a range of other measures to help those who have fallen into debt.
Ask your water company for a repayment plan
All water companies should offer you a repayment or 'restart' plan, whether you're on a meter or not. These repayment plans differ between companies, but a common example is that the firm will match each payment you make. So for every £1 you pay, the water company will also pay £1 towards your bill.
Some companies will even wipe some of your debt if you continue to make repayments under your plan or will increase the amount that's matched. For example, after six months for every £1 you pay towards your debt, the company will pay £2 towards your bill, which helps you pay off your debt quicker.
The water company will consider your situation and carry out a financial assessment to see which option will suit you best.
If you're really struggling, you may be able to get a charity grant
Many water companies in England and Wales offer schemes and/or have charity funds to help customers with genuine reasons for being in debt or struggling to pay their water bills. This can mean a one-off payment to wipe all or part of your debt.
These include:
- Dŵr Cymru customer assistance fund
- Thames Water customer assistance fund
- United Utilities trust fund
Any customer of these firms can apply, but each supplier has its own application process and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis – so only those who really need help will get it. If successful, you'll get help with clearing your water debt (for example, Dŵr Cymru will pay off 50% of your debt if you've made repayments for six months). And some can even help with other debts you might have, such as if you've fallen behind on your energy or council tax bill.
If you need help filling in the application form, you can contact Citizens Advice which can help you.
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Grab free water-saving gadgets
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Households across much of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can bag a range of free insulation and water-saving gadgets, and there are usually 100,000s available, including:
- Shower heads (which help regulate water usage, normally £20)
- Tap inserts (to regulate water flow, normally £5)
- Shower timers (usually £2.50, to help you cut down)
- Garden hose nozzles (to regulate flow, normally £2.50)
- Water butts (to collect rainwater for watering gardens, typically £20+)
- 'Buffaloo' cistern bags (so each toilet flush uses less water, normally £2)
You can get one of each item per household, but what's available varies by water company, where you live and stock levels. While the freebies are funded by the water companies, it's water efficiency company Save Water Save Money that manages the distribution. How to check what's available and apply depends on which water company you're with...
- If you're with Bristol Water or South East Water you can go straight to the freebies via this Save Water Save Money link. Enter your postcode in the 'free water-saving devices' box to see what's available, then give your details to get 'em sent for free within 28 days.
- If you're with Bournemouth Water, Cambridge Water, Dŵr Cymru, Guernsey Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Portsmouth Water, SES Water, Severn Trent, South Staffs Water, South West Water, Wessex Water, NI Water, Jersey Water, Scottish Water, United Utilities or Yorkshire Water you'll need to use Save Water Save Money's savings calculator to access the freebies.
- If you're with Affinity Water, Anglian, Essex & Suffolk, Southern Water or Northumbrian, they're not part of this promo, but you can sometimes get the freebies if you go direct to their websites.
- Thames Water no longer offers free water-saving gadgets, so if you're a customer, you'd need to buy your own or rely on saving water in other ways.
How much could I save?
Savings vary by supplier and usage, but the Energy Saving Trust estimates that replacing an inefficient shower head with an efficient one could save a family of four £30 on their gas bill and about £30 on their water bill (if metered) each year.
And with the new winter insulation freebies, not only could you cut down on leaks, but they will protect you from costly repair bills from burst pipes.
What's more, reducing water consumption helps the environment. The Energy Saving Trust says it can cut energy use, reduce the impact on your local environment and limit carbon dioxide emissions by using less energy to pump, heat and treat the water.
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Check if you're entitled to a light sewerage rebate
While the water meter billing system's mostly straightforward, it's assumed "what goes in, must come out", and that any water used creates roughly an equivalent amount in sewerage.
The general assumption is that 90% to 95% goes back. But this can be wrong in a few specific circumstances. If that's the case, you can get serious money back.
Refused a rebate? Take it to the Consumer Council for Water
If your water company won't give you a rebate (usually backdated to the beginning of the current billing year), get in touch with your local Consumer Council for Water office. It should be able to help if you feel the company should reasonably have known you weren't connected, for example, if you live in a block of flats and other residents already receive an allowance.
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Get compensation for low pressure, missed appointments and supply issues
Under the guaranteed standards scheme (GSS), which all water and wastewater companies must adhere to, you're entitled to compensation if certain things go wrong with your water supply.
This includes low pressure, not restoring a water supply that's been cut off, or if your supplier fails to attend an arranged appointment. You should get at least £20 in each case. You can see the full list of issues covered and minimum compensation amounts on the website of the water regulator, Ofwat.
Water and wastewater companies should automatically pay at least £20 compensation if they fail to provide a guaranteed service
If you're not offered automatic compensation when an issue occurs, and you think you should have been, you can claim within three months of the incident happening.
You'll need to contact your waste or surface water company in the first instance. For most households, the company that deals with their water supply is the same company that deals with their wastewater and sewerage. However, in some cases it may be two different companies – check your bill to find out. You can also check Ofwat's map to find your supplier.
If your water company refuses to pay compensation, the Consumer Council for Water may be able to help. If it isn't successful, it may refer you to Ofwat for a formal resolution.
All water companies must pay £10-a-day compensation if you can't do essential household chores due to drought restrictions
If you can't get water to drink, cook, wash, or flush the toilet, as a result of emergency restrictions put in place due to drought, you'll be entitled to £10 for each day (or part day) that your household water supply is interrupted or cut off. The maximum you could get is your water company's average household bill for the previous year.
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Change your habits
For those on a water meter, saving water means saving money. But for those not on meters, it can slash energy bills and help the environment. Nowadays we use an average 150 litres of water a day per person – our grandparents only used around 20!
30 top tips suggested by MoneySavers
Below are some tips collected from MoneySavers (some are not for the faint-hearted). We'll start with our favourite. It's not for everyone, but some MoneySavers save it for when using the loo at night...
If that's not quite your thing, here are our other top tips:
-
Don't flush your pennies down the toilet
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Use rainwater for flushing the loo. One MoneySaver's tip: "I use rainwater for flushing the loo, after filtering through muslin. My tanks are 200 gallon metal, sealed, with a large tap. Charcoal in netting, the sort oranges come in, keeps water smelling sweeter. The bucket stands outside the conservatory door or in the bath, with a splash of half-strength bleach."
Get a dual-flush loo. Use the small flush for number ones, or the stronger flush for bigger jobs!
- Use a Save-A-Flush. Many water companies offer free Save-A-Flush bags that go in your loo's cistern, so you don't use as much water. It's good for the environment and saves roughly a tenner a year. If you can't be bothered to contact your water firm for one, fill up a one-litre (two-litre for bigger savings) fizzy-drink bottle with water and it should do the same job. There's a tool that shows you how to get water devices from your water firm at Save Water Save Money.
Please suggest any other tips or tricks in the Cheap water bills thread.
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13 August 2024![]( "2150786737")
Chase has cut the rates on its linked easy-access 'boosted saver' and standard saver accounts by 0.25 percentage points. -
NS&I launches new British Savings Bonds paying up to 4.6% if you lock your cash away – but how do they stack up?
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NS&I has refreshed its range of fixed-term 'British Savings Bonds' by adding a two-year option paying 4.6% and a five-year option paying 4.1%. And its three-year bond will now pay newbies 4.35% (up from 4.15%). Here's how they stack up.
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Martin Lewis on pension credit: What over-66s need to know
30 July 2024![]()
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It’s a question I’m asked all the time. Many know that current students no longer need to repay their loans 30 years after the April following graduation, yet for those who started university before 2012, there are a variety of options. This information has been a long-term part of my Should I repay my student loan? guide (where...
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