Your water bill depends on where you live, whether you have a water meter and the services your home uses.
In England and Wales, you normally pay for both clean water and wastewater. However, the way these charges are worked out can vary.
How Is Your Bill Worked Out?
In England and Wales, most homes are charged in one of two ways:
- Metered – you pay mainly for the amount of water you use.
- Unmetered – your bill is based on set charges rather than your actual water use.
You may also pay for wastewater and drainage.
Scotland and Northern Ireland use different systems, which we explain further down this page.
If You Have a Water Meter
A water meter measures how much water enters your home. The more water you use, the more you will normally pay.
Water use is usually measured in cubic metres. One cubic metre equals 1,000 litres.
Your bill may also include fixed charges and charges for wastewater. So, although your meter affects your bill, not every charge depends on how much water you use.
If You Don’t Have a Meter
Without a meter, your bill is not based on your actual water use.
In England and Wales, many unmetered bills are based partly on the property’s rateable value. This is an old property value that was used to work out local rates.
It is not your home’s current value or council tax band.
Because your water use is not measured, using less water may not directly reduce your water bill. However, using less hot water can still cut your energy costs.
What Are Wastewater Charges?
Clean water has to reach your home, but used water also has to be taken away and treated.
This is why your bill may include wastewater charges.
Depending on your home and water company, these can cover:
- collecting and treating sewage
- taking wastewater away from your property
- surface-water drainage
- highway drainage
The same company may provide both your water and wastewater services, although this is not always the case.
What Is Surface-Water Drainage?
Rainwater from your roof, driveway or other parts of your property may flow into the public sewer.
If it does, you may pay a surface-water drainage charge.
However, some homes send rainwater somewhere else, such as a soakaway. If none of your surface water enters the public sewer, ask your wastewater company whether your bill can be reduced.
Why Has Your Bill Gone Up?
If you have a meter, a higher bill may simply mean you have used more water. However, there are several other possible reasons.
For example:
- water or wastewater prices may have risen
- an estimated reading may have been replaced by an actual reading
- more people may be living in your home
- you may have used more water in the garden
- you may have filled a pool or hot tub
- you may have a dripping tap, running toilet or hidden leak
If your bill rises suddenly, check your meter reading and recent water use first.
Check Your Meter Reading
If you have a meter, look at your bill to see whether the reading is actual or estimated.
Then compare the bill with the reading on your meter.
If there is a large difference, this may explain an unexpected bill. It could also help you spot unusually high water use.
You can also turn off everything that uses water and check the meter again. If it continues to move, you may have a leak.
Could a Water Meter Save Money?
It could, but it depends on how much water you use.
A meter may be worth considering if only one or two people live in a larger home, or if your household generally uses little water.
However, a household that uses a lot of water could pay more with a meter.
So, before changing, compare your current bill with what you might pay on a meter.
Read Water Meters Explained next for more help.
Water Bills in Scotland
Scotland uses a different system.
Most households do not receive a separate water bill from Scottish Water. Instead, the local council normally collects water and wastewater charges with council tax.
For most homes, the amount depends on the property’s council tax band rather than how much water is used.
Water Charges in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is different again.
Most households do not currently receive a separate domestic water bill like households in England and Wales.
Therefore, always check that water-billing information applies to the part of the UK where you live.
Struggling to Pay?
If you cannot afford your water bill, contact your water company as soon as possible.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get a cheaper tariff, a payment plan or other support.
The help available varies between companies, so read Help With Water Bills to see what options may be available.
Key Points
- Water charges differ across the UK.
- In England and Wales, bills are usually metered or unmetered.
- A meter means your water use affects how much you pay.
- Unmetered bills are not based on your actual water use.
- Your bill may also include wastewater and drainage charges.
- A sudden rise in metered use could be a sign of a leak.
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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