UK Water Schemes: Your Ultimate Guide
If you’re struggling to pay water bills, you might be able to get help from schemes and grants that help towards the cost of water in the UK.
Table Of Contents
Introduction to water assistance schemes
Water bill assistance is available in parts of the UK if you’re on a low income. The WaterSure scheme is available across England and Wales. Water companies also offer various water assistance schemes. Each water company has its own qualifying criteria.
You can join a Customer Care Register in Northern Ireland, while Scotland has a different water regime completely. Most Scottish homes are billed for water as part of their Council Tax and need to apply to their council for help.
There are several other ways to save on your water bill. For example, you might also be able to get help with debts to your water company or arrange a flexible payment plan. If you have a water meter installed at your home, your savings will depend on your water consumption.
Why water assistance schemes are essential
The UK cost of living crisis means many households are struggling to pay their household bills. Water affordability is an issue for many people. Every April, water companies assess and change the rates they charge customers. Bills typically go up. They rose by an average of 6% from April 2024.
If you are on a low income or claiming certain benefits, you can get help with your water bill. If you need to claim means-tested benefits, tell your water company at once. Many will put your bills on hold while you apply for their assistance scheme.
What is WaterSure?
WaterSure is a water assistance scheme that operates in England and Wales. It caps your bills at an amount set at your supplier's average household cost.
To be eligible you must have a water meter, or have applied for one, and be claiming one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
In addition, you may need to show you use extra water. This may be because:
- You have three or more children under the age of 19 in full-time education living with you
- Someone in your home has a medical condition that means they need to use extra water
You may need to provide a letter from a doctor explaining why the additional water is required. If the person in your home as any of these conditions they will be automatically accepted:
- Flaky skin (desquamation)
- Weeping skin (eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration)
- Incontinence
- Abdominal stomas
- Renal failure requiring kidney dialysis at home – you won't get WaterSure if you get NHS help with your water bills
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
How much money can I save with WaterSure?
If you're accepted for WaterSure, your bills will be capped, at your supplier's average household cost. This will vary between suppliers.
Examples of average annual bills for 2024/25:
- Severn Trent £437.51
- Thames Water £471
According to MoneySavingExpert, typical WaterSure savings are about £250 a year.
How do I apply for WaterSure?
You need to apply for WaterSure through your water company. If you don’t know who your supplier is, enter your postcode into the Water.org.uk website.
You’ll normally need to provide:
- Proof of eligibility
- Your National Insurance number
If accepted for WaterSure, you’ll need to reapply or confirm that you remain eligible every 12 months. Your water company will tell you how to do this. Social tariffs offered by water companies
Every water company offers a social tariff for water. This can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income or claiming benefits. Some water companies also offer discounted water services for people claiming Pension Credit.
Eligibility and the level of support varies between water companies. The following table shows what’s on offer. Water charity The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has more information if your water company’s website is unclear.
Water company and scheme |
Eligibility |
Available help |
|---|---|---|
Affinity Water – Lift |
Household income under £18,725 a year or claiming certain benefits |
Clean water bill capped at £119.50 (£79.70 if you get Council Tax reduction) |
Anglian Water – Lite |
Depends on individual circumstances |
Up to 50% annual bill discount |
Bournemouth Water – WaterCare |
On a meter or on assessed charges, claiming certain benefits, and equivalised weekly income (after housing costs) of less than £295 |
Between 15% and 85% annual bill discount |
Bristol Water – Assist |
On a low income / depends on individual circumstances |
Varies. Starts at 20% discount |
Cambridge Water – Assure |
Receiving Pension Credit 'guarantee element' or a household income of £20,050 a year or less (excluding certain benefits) |
A 60% bill reduction in year one, and 40% reduction in year two |
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water – HelpU |
Receiving an income-related benefit and have an annual household income (excluding certain benefits) of less than: £11,600 (one-person household), £17,400 (two people), £18,800 (three or more) |
Annual bill capped at £290.03 (£116.52 for water, £173.51 for sewerage) |
Essex and Suffolk Water – SupportPLUS |
Household income of less than £23,933; or a member of your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs) |
Up to 50% annual bill discount |
Hafren Dyfrdwy – Here2Help |
Household income below:
|
30% to 70% off the average bill, which CCW charity says could be a 90% reduction on your bill |
Northumbrian Water – SupportPLUS |
Household income of less than £23,933, or a member of your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs) |
Up to 50% annual bill discount |
Household income of less than £21,000, excluding certain benefits |
Bill capped at the minimum charge for the year (currently £91.12 says CCW). |
|
Household income of less than £22,010, excluding benefits |
Up to 70% annual bill discount |
|
Household income of less than £18,725, excluding certain benefits |
Annual bill capped at £182.82 (East) or £146.94 (West), says CCW |
|
Household income of less than £22,010 (excluding some benefits) and savings of less than £16,000 |
Annual bill discount of between 45% and 90%, says CCW |
|
Household income of less than £20,050 (excluding some benefits) or receiving Pension Credit |
A 60% bill reduction in year one, and 40% reduction in year two |
|
Receiving certain benefits and ‘equivalised’ weekly income, after housing costs, of less than £295 |
Annual bill discount of between 15% and 85%, says CCW |
|
Household income of less than £18,725 or £23,933 (in London) excluding disability benefits |
Up to 50% annual bill discount |
|
Your bill is more than 5% of your net income, depending on number of occupants |
50% annual bill discount |
|
Income of less than £21,000 or receiving certain benefits; in arrears or facing a recently reduced income |
Depends on circumstances but two tiers of £282 and £402 |
|
Depends on individual circumstances |
Up to 90% reduction on average bill, says CCW |
|
Household income below £19,000 and annual water bill more than £364. |
Annual bills are capped at £364 for 2024/25 |
How are households charged for water?
Water companies charge households for water in three different ways.
- Metered using a water meter
- Unmetered based on your home’s rateable value
- Assessed household charge
Water metering
If you have a water meter, your bill will depend on how much water you use. You can save money by adopting water efficiency measures. The less you use, the less you pay. In general, if there are more bedrooms in your home than people, you’ll save money with a water meter. You’ll also save money if you are a low water user.
The water company will usually read your meter twice a year unless you are on a ‘smart meter’, which sends readings each day.
You can ask your water company to fit a water meter at your home (for free). All properties built since 1990 have a water meter installed. Some water companies have permission from the regulator to move all customers on to meters.
Unmetered
If your water is unmetered, your is bill based on your home's 'rateable' value. This depends on your property’s size and location.
Assessed household charge
This option is only for households who ask for a water meter to be installed but are rejected. For example, some flats have shared pipes or inaccessible pipework. The assessed charge is based on the average metered bill for the number of bedrooms your home has.
If you live alone and pay the assessed charge, ask to be moved to your supplier’s ‘single occupier’ tariff. This will be cheaper.
Your water bill explained
Water charges are split into:
- Clean water
- Waste water (sewerage)
You may get both clean and waste water services from one company, or two different companies. If you get clean and waste water from different companies, you may get two bills. However, some water companies collect waste water on behalf of a sewerage company. In this case, you will only get one bill.
Water metering and savings
You can usually ask for a water meter to be installed, then see if it saves you money compared with being billed based on your home’s rateable value. If you don’t save money, you can sometimes switch back within two years.
The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has a water consumption calculator. This will help you work out if a water meter will save you money.
Here are some ways to use less water, and reduce waste water.
- Take showers instead of baths
- Collect rainwater in a water butt to water the garden
- Turn off taps when washing up or brushing your teeth
- Fix leaky taps
- Only do full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher
- Use leftover cooking water to water houseplants
- Fit low flow aerators on your taps and showers
- Add a water-saver to the cistern of your toilet
If you pay your bill via unmetered charges or an assessed household charge, using less water won’t save you money.
However, these tips are still worth following as using less water is better for the planet. You can check your water footprint online. This shows your tap water use and the ‘virtual water’ used to produce your food, electricity, gas and home goods.
Water-saving devices
There are several water-saving products available to help you save water. You might be able to get some of these for free from your water company.
Water saving device |
What it does |
|---|---|
Tap aerator |
Aerators help your taps become more efficient. The aerator fits onto your existing tap and reduces the amount of water coming out, without affecting the water flow |
Sink plug |
Using a plug in your kitchen sink can save you water when washing up or rinsing fruit and vegetables |
Cistern displacement device |
A device that goes in your toilet cistern. When you flush, the device inflates, saving water each time |
Regulated shower head |
Reduces the amount of water each time you shower without impacting the pressure |
Water butt |
Collects rainwater, which can then be used to water plants |
What other help is available with water bills?
Help with your water bills is usually administered by your water supplier. Water bill help varies between water companies. Contact your supplier to see what’s available.
Debt support schemes
If you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you’re in arrears, get in touch with your water company as soon as possible. All water companies offer schemes to help customers pay off outstanding water debt. Legally, your water company cannot disconnect your supply. But it can take debt recovery action if you owe it money.
Financial hardship funds
Some water companies have hardship funds to help struggling customers pay off water debt.
Water Direct
Water Direct means you pay your water bill direct from your benefits. Payments are automatic, making it easier for you to budget. You can apply for Water Direct if anyone in your household receives the following benefits and you are already in debt to your water company.
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will then deduct an amount from your benefits payment. This will be credited to your account with your water company.
Flexible payment plans
Some water companies offer flexible payment plans. These might be weekly, fortnightly or monthly. The aim is to make it easier to budget for your water bill. Some suppliers offer ‘payment breaks’ to help you through short-term financial difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get help if I am struggling to pay my water bill?
If you’re struggling to pay your bill, contact your water supplier. It may have schemes that can help you with payments or debts. You can also get debt and budgeting advice from:
If you need time to get debt advice and find a debt solution, there are several options available to you, including:
- Breathing Space
- Debt Relief Order
- Debt Management Plan
- Individual Voluntary Arrangement
It’s important to speak to an organisation that is equipped to provide advice on the solution that would be best for your circumstances.
Am I eligible for a discount on my water bill?
You may be eligible for WaterSure or your water company’s social tariff if you:
- Are on a low income.
- Claiming certain benefits.
- On Pension Credit.
Eligibility for social tariffs varies between water companies. Some will look at your household income and how many people live in your house. Others will offer help depending on the benefits you are eligible for, including Pension Credit.
The documentation and evidence you need to show to water companies to get the discount will also vary.
Can I switch water companies?
UK household customers are not able to change their water supplier or sewerage service provider. Some businesses may be able to switch suppliers.
Who oversees the UK water supply?
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the part of the UK government, which sets the overall water and sewerage policy framework in England.
The Welsh Government does the same in Wales.
Northern Ireland Water is the sole provider of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. Scottish Water is Scotland’s publicly owned water supplier.
The Water Services Regulation Authority, or Ofwat, is the regulator for the water industry in England and Wales.
The Consumer Council for Water offers advice about water and can help consumers resolve issues with their supplier.
Summary: Maximizing benefits from water schemes
Contact your supplier for water payment support if you’re struggling to pay your bill. WaterSure is available across England and Wales. ‘Social’ tariffs will depend on your supplier. If you have a water meter installed, you can reduce your bill by using less water.