Water is an essential, but water bills can be a real burden on a low income, especially for larger families or where someone has a health condition that means using a lot of water. There is help available to reduce water bills that many people do not know about. This guide explains the help with water bills, including social tariffs and the WaterSure scheme, and how to apply.
Social tariffs
Every water company in England and Wales offers a social tariff, which is a reduced rate for customers on a low income. The discount and the rules vary from company to company, as each runs its own scheme, but a social tariff can significantly cut your water bill if you qualify. Because these schemes are run separately by each water company, the only way to find out what is available is to contact your own water supplier and ask.
The WaterSure scheme
WaterSure is a scheme that caps the water bill of customers who have a water meter, are on certain benefits, and either have a large family or a medical condition that means they use a lot of water. The cap means you do not pay more than the average bill for your area, however much water you actually use, which protects people who unavoidably use a lot of water from very high bills. It can make a real difference for those who qualify.
Who can get WaterSure
To get WaterSure, you usually need to be on a water meter, receive a qualifying benefit, and either have three or more children under a certain age living with you and for whom you receive Child Benefit, or have a medical condition that means you use extra water. The idea is to make sure people are not put off using the water they genuinely need because they are worried about the cost. If this sounds like you, it is well worth applying.
Help with water debt
If you have fallen behind on your water bill, there is help. Many water companies run schemes that match the payments you make towards your arrears, or that write off some of your debt if you keep up an agreed payment plan. If you are on benefits, you may also be able to arrange for an amount to be paid directly to your water company from your benefits to cover your usage and clear arrears gradually. Contact your supplier early if you are struggling.
The Priority Services Register
If you are of pension age, disabled, have a long-term health condition, or are in a vulnerable situation, you can join your water company's Priority Services Register. This gives you extra support, such as advance warning of any interruption to your supply, help in an emergency, and other assistance tailored to your needs. It is free to join, and it sits alongside any help with the cost of your bill, so it is worth asking about.
Get a water meter if it would help
If you do not have a water meter, it is worth thinking about whether one would save you money, as households that use less water than their rateable value assumes often pay less on a meter. Many people, particularly smaller households, are better off metered. Water companies usually let you try a meter and switch back within a period if it does not save you money, so there is little risk in finding out whether it would help.
Why people overpay for water
Many households pay more for water than they need to, either because they are not on the cheapest arrangement for their usage, or because they are not claiming a social tariff or other help they would qualify for. Water bills rarely get the attention that energy bills do, so this help is especially under-claimed. Taking a little time to look at your water bill and what help is available can lead to worthwhile savings for a household on a low income.
How to apply for help
To apply for a social tariff, WaterSure, or help with water debt, contact your water company directly, as they run these schemes themselves. You can usually find the details on their website or by calling them, and they will tell you what you qualify for and what information they need. If you are not sure which company supplies your water, your bill or a previous occupier will usually be able to tell you, or an adviser can help you find out.
It is worth asking
As with other help, the main barrier to getting support with water bills is simply not knowing it exists or not asking. Water companies would generally rather help a struggling customer onto an affordable tariff or payment plan than see them fall into debt. So if you are finding your water bill hard to manage, do not wait until you are in arrears; contact your supplier and ask what help is available as early as you can.
Metered and unmetered bills
Whether you are better off on a water meter or paying an unmetered charge based on your home's rateable value depends on how much water your household uses compared with the size of your home. Households that use relatively little water for their property size usually save on a meter, while those that use a lot may be better off unmetered or on a capped scheme like WaterSure. It is worth working out which suits you, as it can make a real difference to your bill.
Water and your wider budget
Water is one of several essential bills that can be reduced with the right help, so it is worth looking at it alongside your energy, council tax and other costs as part of getting your whole budget onto the best footing. An adviser can help you check that you are on the cheapest tariffs and getting all the help you qualify for across your bills. Tackling them together often achieves more than dealing with each one in isolation.
In short
Help with water bills includes social tariffs, offered by every water company for customers on a low income, and the WaterSure scheme, which caps bills for metered customers on benefits who have a large family or a medical condition needing lots of water. There is also help with water debt and a Priority Services Register for extra support. Contact your water company to apply.
Help is there if you ask for it
The key message with water bills is that real help exists, through social tariffs, the WaterSure cap, debt schemes and the Priority Services Register, but most of it has to be asked for. Water companies have a duty to support customers in difficulty, and they would rather help than see you fall into arrears. So if your water bill is a struggle, contact your supplier and ask what help is available as early as you can, rather than waiting until you are in arrears, as you may well be pleasantly surprised by what you are able to get.
Where to get help
Your water company and Citizens Advice can help you cut your water bill. See our guides to the help from your council and charitable grants for more with essential costs.