If you are struggling with your water bill, contact your water company as soon as you can. You may be able to get a lower bill, more time to pay or help with water debt.
The support available depends on your water company and your situation.
Start With Your Water Company
Tell your water company if you are finding it hard to pay, even if you have not missed a payment yet.
It may be able to change how often you pay, set up a payment plan or check whether you qualify for a cheaper tariff. If you already owe money, ask what debt help is available too.
Check for a Social Tariff
Water companies in England and Wales offer social tariffs for customers who may struggle to afford their bills.
These can reduce your bill if you qualify, but the rules and savings vary between companies. Your income, benefits or other circumstances may be taken into account.
So, check your water company’s scheme rather than assuming you will not qualify.
What Is WaterSure?
WaterSure can limit water bills for some households that need to use a lot of water.
You normally need to have a water meter, receive a qualifying benefit and either have a large family or someone in the household who needs extra water because of a medical condition.
There are other rules, so check with your water company before applying.
Ask for a Payment Plan
If you cannot afford your normal payments, ask whether they can be changed to an amount you can manage.
Water companies can offer different ways to pay, including weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. In some cases, you may also be able to take a short payment break.
Do not agree to payments you know you cannot afford. Explain your situation and ask what other options are available.
Already Owe Money?
If you have water debt, ask your company about its debt support schemes.
Some schemes can help clear part of what you owe if you keep making agreed payments. Your company may also have a hardship fund that can help in some cases.
The help varies, so ask about all the options rather than just setting up another payment plan.
Paying From Your Benefits
If you receive certain benefits and owe money to your water company, Water Direct may allow payments to be taken from your benefits.
The money can cover your current water charges and an amount towards the debt.
Ask your water company whether Water Direct may be suitable for you.
Could a Water Meter Help?
If you do not already have a meter, check whether having one could lower your bill.
A meter may help if your household uses relatively little water compared with your current unmetered charge. However, it will not save everyone money.
Read Water Meters Explained before deciding.
Already Have a Meter?
If you have a meter, reducing your water use can lower the part of your bill based on how much you use.
Start with simple changes such as checking for leaks and using less hot water. These can also reduce your energy costs.
Read Water Use and Leaks for practical ways to cut your use.
Check Your Bill Is Right
Before worrying about how to pay, make sure the bill itself looks correct.
If you have a meter, check whether the reading is actual or estimated and compare it with your meter if you can safely do so. Also look for any sudden rise in water use that could point to a leak.
If something does not look right, contact your water company.
Don’t Ignore Water Debt
Water debt does not disappear if you leave it, so contact your company early and explain what you can afford.
For household customers in England and Wales, a water company cannot disconnect your water supply because you have not paid your bill. However, unpaid debt can still lead to debt recovery action, so it is better to ask for help as soon as possible.
Check Other Support
If money is tight, it is also worth checking whether you are getting all the benefits and other help you can claim.
Your water company or an independent advice service may be able to point you towards a benefits check, grants or other support.
What Should You Do First?
If your water bill is becoming difficult to manage:
- Check that the bill is correct.
- Contact your water company.
- Ask about its social tariff.
- Check whether WaterSure applies to you.
- Ask about payment and debt help.
- Check whether a water meter could save you money.
- Look for other benefits or financial help.
You may have more than one option, so ask your water company to check all the support available.
Key Points
- Contact your water company early if you are struggling.
- A social tariff could reduce your bill if you qualify.
- WaterSure can help some households that need to use a lot of water.
- Payment plans, payment breaks and debt help may be available.
- A water meter can save some households money.
- Check that your bill and meter reading are correct.
- Household water supplies cannot be cut off simply because the bill has not been paid.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
Energility may receive a commission or other benefit from some links or services. Where this applies, we aim to make it clear. This does not increase the price you pay unless stated otherwise.
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