Water Bills Explained: Meters, Discounts and Help to Pay

Water is one of the quieter household bills, but it is worth understanding, because there are more ways to pay less than most people know. In England you pay for water either through a meter, based on what you use, or through a fixed charge that does not depend on use. Citizens Advice says most people have the right to a free meter, and there are discounts and capped tariffs for people on low incomes.

This guide covers England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, and Citizens Advice publishes separate advice for each.

Metered or unmetered

Your water bill is worked out in one of two ways:

• Metered: you pay for the water you actually use, read from a meter.
• Unmetered: you pay a fixed charge set by your water company. Citizens Advice notes that a meter may be worth considering if your property has a high rateable value, which suggests the fixed charge is linked to the property rather than your use.

Your bill will say which you are on.

Should you get a water meter?

Citizens Advice gives a simple rule of thumb: “you could pay less if there are fewer people in your property than there are bedrooms.”

So a single person in a two-bedroom flat is a good candidate. A family of five in a three-bedroom house may pay more on a meter.

Your right to a meter

Citizens Advice says you can have a meter installed free of charge, unless it is not practical or is unreasonably expensive to do so. If you ask for one, the company should install it within three months, or within six months where free meters are being offered for the first time.

Switching back

If a meter turns out not to save you money, Citizens Advice says you can usually go back to your previous way of paying within twelve months. There are two exceptions: you cannot switch back if you moved into a property that already had a meter, or if universal metering applies to everyone in your area.

That twelve-month window makes a meter a fairly safe experiment. Keep your bills from before and after, and compare them before the year is up.

Ways to pay less

Citizens Advice lists several ways to bring a water bill down if money is tight.

Social tariffs

Water companies offer cheaper rates for people on low incomes, often called social tariffs. Citizens Advice says each water company has its own rules about who can get its social tariff, and you must be the main account holder named on the water contract. Ask your water company directly.

WaterSure: a cap on your bill

WaterSure limits the amount you pay for water each year. Citizens Advice says that to apply you must have a water meter and get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, plus meet one extra condition, such as living with three or more children under 19.

Living alone without a meter

If you live alone and do not have a meter, Citizens Advice says you can ask your water company for a fixed single occupier tariff, which should be cheaper.

Pension discounts

Some people over State Pension age may qualify for help if they get Pension Credit or their State Pension is their only income. Again, ask your water company.

If you can’t pay your water bill

Citizens Advice is clear on two points:

1. The water company can’t cut off your water.
2. You should still talk to them as soon as you can, because they can take legal action or take money from your benefits.

Water also appears on Citizens Advice’s list of non-priority debts in England, because your supply cannot be cut off. That does not make it optional. It means that if you are behind on several bills, rent, council tax and energy usually come first. Our guide to which bills to pay first explains the order. Ask your water company about a payment plan as early as you can.

When you move home

Water is one of the bills to sort out when you move. Tell your water company the date you move in and the date you move out, so you only pay for your own time at the property. If you are moving out on your own for the first time, our moving out bills checklist covers water with the other bills.

If you move into a home with a meter, remember the switch-back rule does not apply. If you move into a home without one, it is worth checking the bedroom rule above in your first month.

Keep water on your bill list

If you pay for water by direct debit, it is easy to forget about once it is set up. Put yours on your bill list with the date it leaves your account, and look again once a year. A bill tracker like Billo reminds you 3 days before each bill is due and keeps water alongside your rent, council tax and energy, so you can see your full month in one place. Our annual bill review includes a water check.

Summary

• Metered or fixed charge: your bill says which.
• A meter could save you money if fewer people live in your home than there are bedrooms.
• Free installation in most cases; switch back within twelve months, with exceptions.
• Ask your water company about its social tariff, WaterSure, a single occupier tariff or pension help.
• Your water can’t be cut off, but talk to your company early if you can’t pay.