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Water Bill Saving Tips UK — How to Reduce Your Water Costs
Complete guide to reducing water bills in the UK. Water meter vs unmetered, water-saving tips, getting help with bills, and understanding water charges.
Water bills are often overlooked but add £400-£500+ to annual costs. Here’s how to reduce them.
Understanding Water Bills
How Charges Work
| Charge Type |
What It Covers |
| Water supply |
Clean water to your tap |
| Sewerage |
Waste water removal |
| Surface water drainage |
Rainwater from property |
| Total |
Typically 40% water, 60% sewerage |
Metered vs Unmetered
| Metered |
Unmetered |
| Pay for what you use |
Based on property rateable value |
| Variable bills |
Fixed bills |
| Control costs |
No control over charge |
| Lower for small households |
May suit large households |
Average Water Bills
By Region (2024)
| Region |
Typical Annual Bill |
| South West |
£550-£600 |
| Wales |
£500-£550 |
| Wessex |
£500-£540 |
| Southern |
£480-£520 |
| Anglian |
£470-£500 |
| Yorkshire |
£420-£460 |
| Severn Trent |
£400-£440 |
| North West |
£400-£450 |
| Average UK |
£450-£520 |
By Household Size (Metered)
| Household |
Typical Annual |
| 1 person |
£250-£350 |
| 2 people |
£350-£450 |
| 3 people |
£450-£550 |
| 4 people |
£500-£600 |
| 5+ people |
£550-£700+ |
Getting a Water Meter
Who Should Consider
| Good Candidates |
Probably Not |
| 1-2 people |
Large families |
| Water-conscious |
High water users |
| No garden/small garden |
Large gardens to water |
| Modern efficient appliances |
Older appliances |
| Working away often |
Always home |
Rule of Thumb
| Compare |
Get a Meter If |
| Bedrooms vs people |
More bedrooms than people |
| Typical |
2 person in 3-bed house |
How to Get One
| Step |
Details |
| Request from water company |
Free installation |
| Installation |
Usually external |
| Trial period |
2 years to switch back |
| No obligation |
Try risk-free |
What to Expect
| After Installation |
Details |
| Assessment period |
Bill may be higher initially |
| Get baseline |
First year shows true usage |
| If unhappy |
Can return to unmetered within 2 years |
| Long-term |
Usually saves money if suitable |
Reducing Water Usage
Biggest Water Uses
| Activity |
Litres Used |
| Bath |
80-100 litres |
| Shower (8 mins) |
60-80 litres |
| Power shower (8 mins) |
100-150 litres |
| Toilet flush |
6-13 litres |
| Washing machine |
50-60 litres |
| Dishwasher |
10-15 litres |
| Watering garden (hosepipe) |
1,000 litres/hour |
Easy Savings
| Change |
Saving |
| Shorter showers (4 mins vs 8) |
20,000+ litres/year |
| Fix dripping tap |
5,000 litres/year |
| Full loads only (washer) |
10,000 litres/year |
| Turn tap off brushing teeth |
6,000 litres/year |
| Use watering can not hose |
Significant |
Saving Devices
| Device |
Saving |
| Cistern displacement (toilet) |
1-3 litres per flush |
| Low-flow showerhead |
30-50% less water |
| Tap aerators |
Reduce flow |
| Water butt |
Free garden water |
| Dual flush toilet |
4-6 vs 9-13 litres |
Free Water-Saving Products
| Get From |
What’s Available |
| Water company websites |
Free devices |
| SaveWaterSaveMoney.co.uk |
Many free items |
| Includes |
Shower timers, tap inserts, toilet devices |
Help With Bills
WaterSure Scheme
| Eligibility |
Details |
| Must be |
On water meter |
| And |
Receiving qualifying benefit |
| And |
High essential water use |
| Examples |
Medical condition, 3+ children |
| Cap |
Bill capped at average |
Social Tariffs
| Scheme |
What It Offers |
| Name varies by company |
Reduced bills for low income |
| Typical discount |
20-50% off |
| Eligibility |
Usually income-based |
| How to apply |
Through water company |
By Company (Examples)
| Company |
Social Tariff Name |
| Thames Water |
WaterHelp |
| Severn Trent |
Big Difference Scheme |
| United Utilities |
Help to Pay |
| Yorkshire Water |
Resolve |
| Anglian Water |
LITE |
Payment Plans
| If Struggling |
Options |
| Payment arrangements |
Spread cost |
| Hardship funds |
One-off help |
| Water debt advice |
Through Citizens Advice |
| Payment breaks |
Some companies offer |
Checking for Leaks
Why It Matters (Metered)
| Leak Impact |
Cost |
| Dripping tap |
£20-£40/year |
| Running toilet |
£100-£300/year |
| Underground leak |
£500+/year |
How to Check
| Test |
Method |
| Tap test |
Listen, look for drips |
| Toilet test |
Food colouring in cistern |
| Meter test |
Turn everything off, check meter |
| Underground |
Unusually high bills, wet patches |
Meter Test for Leaks
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Turn off all taps and appliances |
| 2 |
Note meter reading |
| 3 |
Wait 1-2 hours (don’t use water) |
| 4 |
Check meter again |
| 5 |
If changed = leak somewhere |
If You Find a Leak
| Leak Location |
Responsibility |
| Inside your home |
You fix it |
| Between meter and property |
You fix it (supply pipe) |
| Company’s pipe |
They fix it |
| Underground on your land |
May be complex |
Some companies offer free/subsidised supply pipe repairs.
Summary: Water Bill Checklist
Reduce Usage
| Action |
Done |
| Fix dripping taps |
☐ |
| Shorter showers |
☐ |
| Full washing loads only |
☐ |
| Water-efficient devices |
☐ |
| Check for leaks |
☐ |
Check Your Bill
| Check |
Done |
| Correct property |
☐ |
| Meter reading accurate |
☐ |
| Would meter save money? |
☐ |
| Any discounts you qualify for? |
☐ |
Get Help If Needed
| Scheme |
Check Eligibility |
| WaterSure |
☐ |
| Social tariff |
☐ |
| Payment plan |
☐ |
| Hardship fund |
☐ |
Key Numbers
| Metric |
Typical |
| Average bill |
£450-£520/year |
| Meter saves |
£50-£200/year (if suitable) |
| Water use |
150 litres/person/day average |
| Cost per litre |
~0.3p |
Free Resources
| Resource |
Get From |
| Free water-saving devices |
Your water company |
| SaveWaterSaveMoney.co.uk |
Online |
| Leak detection |
Request from supplier |
Water bills are fixed costs you can reduce through usage changes and getting a meter if suitable. Check eligibility for help schemes — many people miss out on support they qualify for.
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