Water – help with costs

All water suppliers in England and Wales have a social tariff. This means you may be able to get reduced bills if you’re on a low income. Ask your supplier about their social tariff. What you can get and who qualifies varies. You can find contact details for your water supplier and what they offer on the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) website. 

You can also ask your supplier if they operate charitable trusts, payment matching or Restart schemes. Visit CCW for more information about these schemes.

If you live in Scotland, contact Scottish Water for information about the Water Charges Reduction Scheme. You may be able to get up to 35% off your water and sewerage charges if you’re getting Council Tax Reduction.

If you're in financial difficulty, make sure you’re getting all the money you’re entitled to. Use our free benefits calculator or call our Helpline to speak to an adviser.

If you’re thinking of getting a meter, try the water meter calculator on the CCW website to see if you could save money. Or contact your supplier for more information.

Meters are installed free of charge and you usually have the option to switch back within a year if you change your mind. 

If you apply for a water meter but the water company cannot install one, they must offer you an assessed charge bill. This takes into account the number of people in the house or the type of property and could save you money. You can only get assessed charges if you apply for a water meter first. 

Scottish Water will provide a standard meter for free but, if you're the homeowner, you'll have to pay the cost of fitting it. Once it's installed, it cannot be removed. If you’re renting, you should ask your landlord for permission.

Be aware that if you're getting a reduction on your water and sewerage bill through Council Tax Reduction, you will not be able to keep getting this if you have a meter. Citizen's Advice Scotland have more information on whether a water meter is right for you.

In England and Wales, WaterSure schemes can cap the amount you have to pay for your water bill if you’re on certain benefits and need to use a lot of water.

To qualify for a WaterSure scheme, you must:

• be on a water meter or waiting to have one installed
• get certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, depending on what your supplier covers
• need to use a lot of water – for example if you have certain medical conditions, or live with a large family (three children or more in full-time education).

As long as you meet the other criteria, you will qualify automatically if you have certain medical conditions, such as:

• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• incontinence
• abdominal stomas
• kidney failure requiring dialysis
• other conditions that mean you have a high need for water.

A doctor will need to give details of your condition to your supplier. Speak to your doctor about getting a certificate, which you may have to pay for.

Contact your water company to find out how to apply for the WaterSure scheme. You can find more information about WaterSure on the Citizens Advice website or contact our Helpline for advice.

You may also want to join the Priority Services Register if you need extra help with your water services. Visit Ofwat for more information. Contact our Helpline if you need advice or support with registering.

Saving water is good for the environment and, if you’re on a meter, these water-saving tips could help cut your bills. Even if you’re not on a water meter, using less hot water could bring down your energy bills.

In the bathroom:

• use a water-saving device, like a Hippo or Save-a-flush, in your toilet cistern. Some water companies supply these and other gadgets for free
• a bath typically uses 80 litres of water so, if possible, take a short shower or run a shallower bath
• do not leave the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving
• change to a water efficient showerhead – your water company may supply one for free.

In the kitchen:

• wash vegetables in a bowl rather than under running water. Reuse the water on your plants or garden
• using lids on saucepans reduces the amount of water lost through evaporation. Your food will cook more quickly too
• only fill the kettle with what you need
• make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is full before you use it. Look for eco or economy settings.

You can find more tips on the Waterwise website.  

A dripping tap or a leak can waste a lot of water – and money - so it’s a good idea to get them fixed as soon as possible. You can find an approved plumber on the Trustmark website.