Could you see your water bill drop by £325?

Hundreds of thousands of households could soon see their water bills fall.

Around 53,000 additional households are expected to get an average £325 knocked off their annual water bill under a major overhaul of the WaterSure scheme.

Overall, about 300,000 low-income households are set to pay less for water as part of the biggest reform of the scheme in almost 30 years.

The changes mean more people will qualify, including some households receiving disability benefits.

Who could now qualify?

Under the new rules, you could qualify for WaterSure if:

• you receive disability living allowance, attendance allowance, or personal independence payment (PIP)
• Your household income is below £25,745 a year

The reforms will also change how the price cap is calculated, meaning many households already on the scheme could save up to an extra £100 a year.

When will the changes come into force?

The reforms are set to come into force in early 2027. They will be funded by an additional £1.14 onto the bills of other water customers.  

What is WaterSure?

The WaterSure scheme was introduced in 1999 to help households that need to use a lot of water but are on low incomes.

If you qualify, your water bill is capped at the average metered bill in your area. That means:

• even if you use more water than average
• you won’t pay more than that capped amount

About 260,000 households already benefit, saving around £325 a year on average.

You may be eligible if your household uses lots of water because:

• someone has a medical condition
• you have three or more school-age children

What benefits do you need to receive?

To qualify, you must usually have a water meter and receive certain means-tested benefits, such as:

• income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• income support
• income-related employment and support allowance
• universal credit
• housing benefit
• pension credit
• working tax credit
• child tax credit (at a higher rate than the family element)

Who can apply?

You may be able to apply if:

• your household has three or more children under 19, or
• someone in your home has a medical condition requiring high water use

You’ll also need:

• a water meter
• to be receiving qualifying benefits

How to apply

The easiest way is to contact your water company directly.

Most water providers let you:

• download an application form online
• apply through their website
• request help by phone

Your water company will confirm whether you qualify and what your bill cap would be.

Other ways you could cut your water bill

WaterSure isn’t the only option. There are several other ways you could lower what you pay.

Apply for a social tariff

Many water companies offer a social tariff scheme for people on low incomes. Depending on your situation, your bill could be reduced by up to 90%.

Each water provider runs its own scheme, so check what’s available where you live.

Consider switching to a water meter

If you don’t already have one, a water meter could save you money.

With a meter:

• you only pay for the water you use
• installation is usually free
• some companies offer a two-year trial period, letting you switch back if it doesn’t save money

Many water providers also offer online calculators so you can estimate whether a meter would cut your bills.

The average water bill for 25/26 rose by 26% to £603 per household, according to government statistics. Average water bills for 26/27 are forecast to rise by 5% to £639. Some small changes to water usage can make a big difference. 

Fix leaks and dripping taps quickly

Small leaks can waste huge amounts of water.

For example:

• a dripping tap can waste over 5,000 litres a year
• a leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres a day

If you’re on a meter, that could mean more than £300 a year literally going down the drain.

Some water companies offer free leak checks or subsidised repairs. If you rent your home, your landlord is usually responsible for fixing leaks.

Make small changes to how you use appliances

Simple habits can also help you save.

For example, you could:

• run washing machines and dishwashers only when full
• cut your shower from 10 minutes to five
• turn the tap off while brushing your teeth

Using less hot water also means lower energy bills, so you could save on both water and electricity.

Use free water-saving gadgets

Many water companies give away free devices to help you use less water.

These may include:

• shower timers to keep showers under four minutes
• tap inserts that reduce water flow but keep pressure strong
• cistern displacement bags that reduce water used per flush

They’re usually easy to install and can cut your water use without changing your routine.

Get everyone in your home involved

You’ll save the most if everyone in your household helps.

Encourage family members or housemates to adopt water-saving habits, such as:

• turning off taps while brushing teeth
• taking shorter showers
• only running appliances when they’re full

Even small changes from everyone can make a noticeable difference to your bill.