Water bills incur significant costs of running a home and they are increasing all the time. They are due to rise by an average of 7.5% in April 2023, which is an increase of £31 a year on a typical bill.
There are some practical things you can do to help reduce your water consumption along with discount schemes you could be eligible for, which could ultimately help you save money.
Should I get a water meter?
Around half of all homes have a water meter, where the size of your bill is dependant on your consumption and you are only charged for the amount of water you actually use. Water meters typically calculate the sewerage bill too, with sewerage costs being higher than day to day water use because of the processing involved in pumping waste water out of your home.
A water meter could save you money if:
You can ask your water company to fit a water meter for free. The water company can refuse if it thinks that installing one isn’t practical or is too expensive. If you’re a tenant, you may need permission from your landlord first.
If you are considering switching to a water meter, you can use a calculator to see if you would save money.
You can find one (HERE)
Am I eligible for any discounts off my water bills?
Water companies offer a variety of discount schemes for certain customers.
Most water companies have a social tariff scheme for customers on low incomes or for those who are receiving certain benefits.
If you have a water meter and you receive certain benefits (such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit), you may be eligible for the WaterSure scheme.
If you're on the WaterSure scheme, your bill is capped at a lower amount, regardless of how much water you use.
How could the Priority Services Register help me?
If you're on the Priority Services Register, then you're entitled to free services and support, including water deliveries in an emergency, large print bills and advance telephone notice of an interruption to your water supply.
This is provided by utility suppliers to help more vulnerable customers, for example if you're over State Pension age or living with a disability.
Contact your water supplier to get added to their register.
How can I reduce my water bills day to day?
There are some simple things you can do to reduce your water usage and therefore the cost of your water bills, for example:
Other Useful Information
Go to the Consumer Council for Water Website:
The best savings tips and offers to help with the cost of living crisis 2023
There are some practical things you can do to help reduce your water consumption along with discount schemes you could be eligible for, which could ultimately help you save money.
Should I get a water meter?
Around half of all homes have a water meter, where the size of your bill is dependant on your consumption and you are only charged for the amount of water you actually use. Water meters typically calculate the sewerage bill too, with sewerage costs being higher than day to day water use because of the processing involved in pumping waste water out of your home.
A water meter could save you money if:
- you live alone
- you live in a home with a high rateable value
- you use very little water.
You can ask your water company to fit a water meter for free. The water company can refuse if it thinks that installing one isn’t practical or is too expensive. If you’re a tenant, you may need permission from your landlord first.
If you are considering switching to a water meter, you can use a calculator to see if you would save money.
You can find one (HERE)
Am I eligible for any discounts off my water bills?
Water companies offer a variety of discount schemes for certain customers.
Most water companies have a social tariff scheme for customers on low incomes or for those who are receiving certain benefits.
If you have a water meter and you receive certain benefits (such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit), you may be eligible for the WaterSure scheme.
If you're on the WaterSure scheme, your bill is capped at a lower amount, regardless of how much water you use.
How could the Priority Services Register help me?
If you're on the Priority Services Register, then you're entitled to free services and support, including water deliveries in an emergency, large print bills and advance telephone notice of an interruption to your water supply.
This is provided by utility suppliers to help more vulnerable customers, for example if you're over State Pension age or living with a disability.
Contact your water supplier to get added to their register.
How can I reduce my water bills day to day?
There are some simple things you can do to reduce your water usage and therefore the cost of your water bills, for example:
- Fix dripping taps or leaks. These can waste the equivalent of half a bath a week.
- Take showers instead of baths. A short shower can use as little as a third of the amount of water needed for a bath.
- Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Use a washing-up bowl to do the dishes, rather than rinsing every plate and cup under the tap.
- Wash vegetables in a bowl rather than under running water.
- Use a watering can in the garden rather than a hosepipe.
- Fit a device in your toilet cistern to minimise the water used in flushing. It can save up to three litres of water with every flush. Ask your water company if it supplies them free of charge.
- Don’t use your washing machine or dishwasher on half-load programmes. A full load uses less water than two half loads.
Other Useful Information
Go to the Consumer Council for Water Website:
- to find out which water company supplies your area
- for more help with water issues
- Find out how and where you use water in your home and discover easy ways to make savings with waterfit
The best savings tips and offers to help with the cost of living crisis 2023
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92 Comments
sorted byFor kiddos , we just take them outside when it rains with clothing of course , we are not animals.
Forgot about the 3rd world country like India who now has toilets in every house hold with running water and free electricity from solar panels. What do they know. Us Brits thought them how to live like civilised society.
Every little helps!
Save your shower and washing machine water for loo flushing.
If you have the room, install a urinal, that would be flushed with a jug from the bucket alongside.
I can only do 1 of 3 as I live in a rented flat, but my bills are around £7.50 monthly. Can't seem to get them any lower
Businesses are closing down one after another as can't afford run up costs, so how do we expect households to survive. I bet soon you all will pay just for breathing and after price increase learn how to save on that too
It's all great to have these water saving system, but lets not forget it comes with many risks which many owners even not aware of. Same companies we pay megabuck pollute our rivers and cant even supply quality water to households and yet we still happy to pay even more.....
I didn't know anything else was available apart from paying for what you use... like with gas & electric
Tap water so full of goodness, you have treat it before putting it in fish tanks or ponds (yes I have a pond, and find it curious that the amount of chloramine is deemed dangerous (well will kill them) for fish yet ok human consumption )
Forums discussing how to save water bills!
We weren't even paying anywhere near £500 at our old house which was larger so should end up saving us quite a bit using a meter.