Cut your water bills

Water bills rose by 26% on average from April with further hikes planned

Each year, water companies adjust the rates they charge their customers. From April, most households in England and Wales will face increased water and sewerage charges, with further rises planned over the next five years, regulator Ofwat has announced. However, prices differ depending on your location.

From April year, water bills across England and Wales will rise by an average of 26% – that's a rise of £123 a year on a typical bill. Some regions will see worse hikes than others - for example, Southern Water's bills are up 47% on average, while SES Water's bill are down 2%, on average.

But remember, you may see bigger (or smaller) rises than listed below, as your exact cost will depend on how your water firm has allocated price increases to its different charges, such as, metered, non-metered, water and sewerage costs. See how much more (or less) your water company will charge from April in the table below.

In Scotland, water bills (which are based on council tax bands), will increase by 9.9% for every household from April, meaning the lowest council tax band (band A) will be paying £400/year.

In England and Wales, prices vary depending on where you live

The table below shows how average water and sewerage charges are set to change in England and Wales.

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:

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.

1. In England and Wales? Some could slash water bills by switching to a meter

   

   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.

   Should you get a water meter?

   If you're in England or Wales, to see if a water meter is right for you, first of all you need to work out if a meter is financially worthwhile. Here's Martin's rule of thumb:

   If there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or the same number, check out getting a meter.

   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.

   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

   To get a water meter installed, you can head over 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.
   

   It should be free to get one installed and water meters can be fitted inside and outside your home. If you can't get a water meter fitted due to lack of space or access, your water company should offer you an assessed charges bill. If you really want a water meter but it's too expensive or impractical for the water company to install one, it may ask you to pay for it, which could be hundreds of pounds.

   Once a meter's installed, the supplier should give you an information pack detailing your new charges and update your online account.

   Without a water meter, your bill will be based on your home's 'rateable value'. The amount of water used is irrelevant. There are no plans to change the rateable value system and you can't get your home's value reassessed. 
   
   Before 1990, councils assessed homes to produce rateable values, based on what rent homes could raise in the private market and the property's size. All homes were last assessed in 1973. Between then and 1990, only new homes were assessed. Since 1990, all new homes have been fitted with water meters.

   If you do get a water meter fitted, check your bills to make sure your water company is using actual readings to calculate your bills. Some water meters can be read remotely, but others can only be accessed by an engineer, so it's possible that they just use estimates until they can take an actual meter reading. 

   Most water companies aim to take a reading every six months. According to Ofwat, your water meter should be read at least once a year, but if it can only be accessed by your water company, a reading must be taken at least once every two years.

   One MoneySaver told us she had estimated bills for over two years, meaning she was due a sizeable refund when an actual reading was finally taken. So it's definitely worth checking.

   • If savings are minimal, stick with certainty. Non-metered water bills give you surety of knowing exactly what you'll pay, regardless of usage.

   • Having a water meter shouldn't affect your home's value. Some say meters lower a property's sale price. There's a slim chance it'll put high-water-use buyers off, but it's rare. So if you're not planning to move soon, ignore it and bag the savings. 

   • Higher water usage may force you on to a meter. If you use large amounts of water for non-necessities such as swimming pools or sprinklers, or if you live in a water-stressed area, a meter will be fitted automatically. Some water companies – mainly those in south east England – are rolling out metering programmes, meaning households in some areas will need to have a meter fitted and won't have the option to switch back to an unmetered supply.

   How to get a water meter

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   How are my bills estimated if I don't have a water meter?

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   Check your bills are using actual meter readings

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   If you're weighing up whether to get a meter, there are a few more facts to be aware of...

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   You can switch back to an unmetered bill within two years

   With many providers, you've two years to assess whether having a water meter is worth it and, if you decide it isn't right for you, you can ask your water company to switch you back to an unmetered bill.

   Switching back from metered to unmetered billing

   Water company	Can you switch back to unmetered billing after getting a water meter installed?
   Affinity	No. You can't switch back
   Anglian	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Bournemouth	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Bristol	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Cambridge	Yes. It's free within two years of installation However, if you live in an area under Cambridge Water's compulsory meter programme, you can't switch back. Check with Cambridge Water if this affects you.
   Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Essex and Suffolk	No. You can't switch back
   Hafren Dyfrdwy	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Northumbrian	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Portsmouth	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   SES	No. You can't switch back
   Severn Trent	Yes. It's free within one year of installation
   South East	No. You can't switch back
   Southern	No. You can't switch back
   South Staffs	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   South West	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Thames	It depends. If you get one voluntarily, it's free within 12 months of installation. However, if you live in an area under Thames Water's compulsory meter programme, for example Swindon, you can't switch back. Check with Thames Water if this affects you.
   United Utilities	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Wessex	Yes. It's free within two years of installation
   Yorkshire	Yes. It's free within two years of installation

   Table correct as of January 2025.

   Switching back from metered to unmetered billing: policies firm-by-firm

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2. Refused a meter? Get an assessed bill

   

   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!
   - Jake

3. Check if you qualify for a social tariff

   If you're on a low income (up to about £26,000 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. Around 1.6 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, Jacqui, contacted her water company and emailed us her success:

   I had never heard of a social water tariff, until I read an article from Martin about the subject. As a single person in a one-bedroom flat, I was horrified when my water bill arrived for £910.40 for the year. I had been considering a water meter, but then I read about the social water tariff and thought I would investigate further. I followed the links available through my water provider's website, and I am now paying £6.20 per month...that's an annual saving of £836!

   We've a full list of what's available from each company in the table below:

   Social water tariffs eligibility by provider from 1 April

   Water company and scheme	Who can get it and what can you get?
   Affinity Water - Lift	Annual bill capped at £143.40 for those on low incomes or benefits, or £95.80 if you get council tax reduction/support Household income must be less than £19,995/yr before benefits OR you must be in receipt of certain benefits
   Anglian Water - Lite	Annual bill reduced by up to 50% for those with a meter and struggling to pay You'll need to have your finances assessed.
   Bournemouth Water - WaterCare	Annual bill reduced by 15% to 85% for those on low income have a water meter or assessed charges Your water bill must be at least 5% of your 'equivalised' income (this means your income is adjusted based on the make-up of your household, eg if you have kids) after housing costs.
   Bristol Water - Assist	Annual bill reduced based on your ability to pay, for those on low incomes or receive Pension Credit You'll need to have your finances assessed. If all adults in your household get Pension Credit, you may get a discount of around 20% on your bill.
   Cambridge Water - Assure	Annual bill reduced by 60% in year one, by 40% in year two, and by 20% in year three, if you receive Pension Credit or have low income You must receive the 'guarantee element' of Pension Credit OR have a household income of £22,011/yr or less, excluding certain benefits. Household income limit is increased by £1,500 for every child in your household.
   Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water - HelpU	Annual bill capped at £319.03 (£128.17 for water, £190.86 for sewerage) for those on low incomes and on benefits You receive an income-related benefit and your household income (excluding Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, disability benefits & premiums, carer’s allowance and carer premiums) is less than: - £12,000 a year for a one-person household - £18,100 a year for a two-person household - £19,100 a year for a household of three or more
   Essex and Suffolk Water - SupportPlus	Annual bill reduced by up to 40% for those on low incomes or receiving Pension Credit Household income must be less than £26,000/yr OR someone in your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments).
   Hafren Dyfrdwy - Here2Help	Annual bill reduced by 30% to 70% for those on low incomes Your household income excluding certain benefits must be less than: - £22,010 a year if no dependants - £24,010 a year if 1-2 dependants - £26,010 a year if 3+ dependants
   Northumbrian Water - SupportPlus	Annual bill reduced by up to 40% for those on low incomes or receiving Pension Credit Household income must be less than £26,000/yr OR someone in your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments).
   Portsmouth Water - Helping Hand	Annual bill capped at £91.12 for those on low incomes or on benefits Household income must be less than £21,000/yr or less, excluding certain benefits OR you are in receipt of one of these benefits.
   SES Water - Support	Annual bill reduced by up to 50% for those on low incomes Household income must be less than £19,995/yr (£25,207/yr if you live in a London borough).
   Severn Trent Water - Big Difference	Annual bill reduced by up to 70%, for those on low incomes Household income must be under £23,492/yr. You may qualify for an additional income allowance if you have children.
   South East Water - The Social Tariff	Annual bill reduced by up to 30%, for those on low incomes Household income (excluding any disability and housing payment you receive) must be between £17,000/yr and £21,000/yr to get a 30% bill reduction, or a 50% reduction if less than £17,000/yr.
   Southern Water - Essentials Tariff	Annual bill reduced by 45% to 90% for those on low incomes or receiving Pension Credit Household income of less than £22,020 (excluding certain benefits) and you have savings of less than £16,000 OR someone in your household receives Pension Credit.
   South Staffs Water - Assure	Annual bill reduced by 60% in year one, 40% in year two, 20% from year three onwards for those on low incomes or receiving Pension Credit You receive Pension Credit 'guarantee element' OR have a household income £22,011/yr or less, excluding certain benefits. Household income limit is increased by £1,500 for every child in your household.
   South West Water - WaterCare	Annual bill reduced by 15% to 85% for those with a water meter or on assessed charges, and on benefits Someone in your household must receive one of these means-tested benefits, and your water bill is more than 5% of your 'equivalised' income after housing costs (1).
   Thames Water - WaterHelp	Annual bill reduced by up to 50% for those on low incomes Your water bill must be more than 5% of your net income (depending on how many people live at your property).
   United Utilities has three schemes: Help to Pay, Back on Track and Low Income Water Discount	Help to Pay: Annual bill capped at £296.40 or £422.40 for those receiving Pension Credit - based on how many adults in the household get Pension Credit). Back on Track: Annual bill capped at £296.40 for those on benefits and in water bill debt, or on low income - You must get one income-related benefitAND be in arrears OR have a household income of less than £21,500/yr (if applying due to a recent life event). Low-income water-discount scheme: Annual bill discounted by £50. Automatic discount for customers identified as eligible (on 1 December each year) due to low income.
   Wessex Water has two schemes: Assist and Discount for low-income pensioners	Reduced bill Assist: Annual bill reduced by up to 90% for those struggling financially - based on ability to pay. Discount for low income pensioners: Annual bill reduced by 20% each year - all adults in your household must receive Pension Credit or state pension is your only household income. You don't need to reapply each year or if you move home.
   Yorkshire Water - WaterSupport	Annual bill capped at either £270, £354 or £409, depending on your circumstances Household income must be less than £20,000/yr (£26,000 with dependants). You may qualify for an additional income allowance if you have children.

   Table correct as of April 2025.

4. 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. To sign up, contact your supplier for an application form.

   Eligible medical conditions include:

   • Abdominal stomas

   • Crohn's disease

   • Desquamation (flaky skin disease)

   • Incontinence

   • Renal failure requiring dialysis at home – although you won't qualify for WaterSure if you're already getting a contribution to your water costs from the NHS

   • Weeping skin disease (eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration)

   • Ulcerative colitis

   • Any other medical conditions that require extra water, which could include Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer or diabetes

   You'll usually need to provide evidence of your medical condition, which could be a recent prescription or doctor's certificate or letter (which you may have to pay for, but some water companies will reimburse this to you).

   Eligible medical conditions for the WaterSure scheme

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5. 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.

   Unfortunately, you won't be able to access the funds above, but the charity Turn2us has a handy grant search tool for local charity groups that may be able to help.

   For those in debt crisis (see debt crisis definition), who are consistently struggling with debts and meeting repayments, free personal help is invaluable – see our Debt help guide and Citizens Advice.
    

   As of 31 March 2023, electricity companies can (where possible) share the information of customers who are on the Priority Services Register (PSR) with water companies, so users can get help and support if there's a break in their water supply. You can read the full eligibility details and how to get on the PSR in our Struggling with your energy bills guide.
    

   Not with any of the water companies above?

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   Get on the Priority Services Register if you're vulnerable

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6. Grab free water-saving gadgets

   

   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 £30+)

   • '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.

7. 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.

   Some water companies, such as Anglian and South West Water, will allow you to fit a sub meter to your external water supply, like a garden tap. That way you can accurately monitor the amount of water that isn't going back to the sewers. You'll need to arrange and pay for a sub meter to fitted yourself, and you'll need to contact your water company to give regular sub meter readings, for it to adjust your bill accordingly.

   This is a large underground gravel pit that collects water from the roof or drive. They're more likely in a small town or village than an urban area. If unsure, check property deeds or see your local authority to check the planning application.
   
   Water companies should give rebates to those whose surface rainwater goes into a soakaway or straight into a river or canal, rather than a mains sewer. To apply for a rebate, just fill in your water company's form. Call or go online to request it.
   
   MoneySaver Steph did just that:

   Thanks for your tip to check if we are due a light sewerage rebate, as we have a soakaway. I contacted Anglian Water and got a six-year backdated refund of £220.
   - Steph 

   If you're on a meter and use lots of water from an outside tap, you can contact your water company to ask for a reduction in your bill. If you can show you haven't poured the water down the drain, you shouldn't have to pay the sewerage charge. But the onus is on you to prove water hasn't gone back to the sewer.
   
   The usual scenario when this would apply is a large one-off amount of water, for example, filling a pond or pool. If it's more regular, ongoing use, it's possible to prove it by fitting a water meter to your outside tap, though that's expensive.

   If you're in an area with no connection to the mains sewerage, so have a cesspit or septic tank, you don't have to pay sewerage charges. This only applies to a few people, but you should query any charges paid for sewerage services if your property isn't connected to the main sewerage system.

   Do you have a soakaway?

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   Do you have a pond, large garden or swimming pool?

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   Do you have a cesspit or septic tank?

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   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.

   

8. 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.

   The guaranteed standards scheme applies to all water and sewerage companies' customers, even if they're in debt. If you've owed money to your water company for more than six weeks, it'll normally credit your account rather than pay you compensation.

   Will I be entitled to compensation if I owe the water company money?

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9. 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 wallow, shoot into the shower. A quick shower uses far less than a long soak in the tub, so think twice before baths.

   • Turn off the tap when you shower. After initially wetting yourself, turn off the shower until you are ready to rinse clean. One MoneySaver reckons you can shower with almost no water at all.

   • The efficient way to wash your hair. If it's not a cold day, wash your hair and then soap up a sponge. Turn the water to a dribble while you soap up, then finish with a quick blast to get the soap off. This saves water, and ensures there's still enough hot water to last the day out.

   • Use your head – swap rinse-out hair conditioner for a leave-in version. Don't use hair conditioner in the shower that you have to rinse out, use a leave-in version.

   • Bundle into the bath. Get up close and personal with your other half and share your bath. Or put the kids in together to save water.

   • Don't bathe pets, keep Fido dry. Check with your vet, but it can be bad for their skin and they may not need it unless they require medicated baths or have rolled in something awful.

   

   • 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.

   • Fix leaky taps. Check your meter's not increasing when you're not using water. If it is, get leaks sorted.

   • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Simple but effective!

   • Running your tap to temperature? Fill up empty bottles while you wait for it to heat up and use round the house to water plants or for the kettle.

   • Turn it off – don't run the tap. When cleaning, don't run the tap. Instead use a wash bowl to rinse cloths.

   Here are some top tips to keep your garden watered or car clean without a hosepipe.

   • Clean the car smartly. When you really get to the point where you have to clean the car, use a bucket of hot soapy water and a watering can of clean water to rinse – no need to use a hose. Consider using waterless products too. According to Save Water Save Money, ditching the hose could save over 100 litres of water.

   • Love the shade– keep plants out of the sun. Moving pot plants and house plants out of the sun helps limit the amount of water they need.

   • Watering the plants? Don't forget your roots. Use the simple trick of an upside-down water bottle with holes in it to get water direct to the roots of your plants. This should help save waste. Plus you can reuse your old washing-up water to water your plants – the detergent won't do any harm but best not to use it on edible plants. And finally, choose the type of pot carefully – ceramic, metal or wood pots lose less water.

   • Fish-tank water is good for plants. Use dirty water from the fish tank on plants – it's rich in nitrogen and phosphorous.

   • Save rainwater – get a water butt. Sometimes you can pick these up for free. Use it to collect rainwater and you'll have a constant supply for the plants when you need it. Make sure you keep it covered so the water doesn't evaporate when it's needed most.

   • Recycle tea water. Empty the cold dregs from the tea on to house plants.

   • Use leftover tumble-dryer water. If you use a condensing tumble dryer and it's ventless, use the condensed water in your watering can or iron.

   • Share your bath... with your lawn. Run a hosepipe up to your bathroom and siphon bathwater out of the window to your plants.

   • Build a pond. It's great for wildlife and will provide hours of relaxation. Best of all it's the biggest reservoir you can create, even beating water butts for volume. Dip into it with your watering can as needed, returning snails and newts to the pond afterwards!

   • Collect water. Stand a washing-up bowl in the shower. Use the water for the garden and house plants.

   • Use a watering can instead of a hose. Use a watering can in the garden instead of a sprinkler or hosepipe. Garden sprinklers and hosepipes left running can use 500 to 1,000 litres of water an hour.

   Want more tips to keep your garden growing? Ask our greenfingered MoneySavers.

   • Shave and save. Use half a mug of water while shaving to get rid of hair by dipping the razor in the mug and churning it.

   • Save your washing up for one wash. Instead of washing up as you go, save it up and do it in one go to minimise the amount of water used. As one MoneySaver says, it's a great excuse to leave the washing up!

   • Load up the washing machine. Wait until you've a full load before using your washing machine or dishwasher. Some new washing machines use less than seven litres of water for each kilogram of clothes, while modern dishwashers can use as little as 10 to 15 litres of water a cycle.

   • Buy efficient white goods. If you're looking to replace your dishwasher or washing machine, get some tips from the Waterwise or Save Water Save Money websites.

   • Steam your veggies. Healthier and tastier than boiling them.

     
     

   Savvy showering

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   Don't flush your pennies down the toilet

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   Tap into those water savings

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   Can you avoid using the hosepipe?

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   Other water MoneySaving ideas

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   Please suggest any other tips or tricks in the Cheap water bills thread.