How social tariff schemes can help you if you’re struggling with water bills

A growing number of households are getting help with their water bills through social tariff schemes.

According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), nearly 2.3m households in England and Wales benefited from water company social tariffs in 2025-26.

That’s almost a fifth (19%) more than in the previous year.

What are social tariffs?

Social tariffs are reduced water bills for households on low incomes.

Eligibility is often based on your household income, the benefits you receive or whether your water bill takes up a large proportion of your income.

You usually need to apply directly through your water supplier, and some companies may ask for proof of income or benefits as part of the process.

The average annual bill reduction for people getting support was £258 in 2025-26 - up from £190 a year earlier.

However, the level of support varies depending on the supplier and your circumstances.

That’s why the CCW wants to see more consistent support being offered nationwide.

Watchdog calling for national single social tariff

The CCW is arguing that the current system of suppliers offering individual schemes should be replaced with one single social tariff for England and Wales.

This, it says, would “provide a stronger safety net” for struggling households and help lift about 1.8m households out of water poverty.

“It is unfair and unsustainable to have a postcode lottery approach to helping customers who cannot afford their water bill,” said chief executive Mike Keil.

“A national single social tariff for water would provide peace of mind to households at the sharp end of cost-of-living pressures.”

What else can I do if I’m struggling with water bills?

Apart from social tariffs, there are a few other options if you’re falling behind with your bills.

WaterSure

WaterSure is a scheme designed to help households that need to use a lot of water.

You may be eligible if:

• you receive certain benefits, such as universal credit, pension credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and:
• you have three or more children under the age of 19 living at home or someone in the household with a medical condition that requires extra water use

If you qualify, your water bill will be capped, so you won’t pay more than a set amount each year, even if your usage increases.

Each water company has slightly different rules, so it’s worth checking directly with your provider to see whether you can apply.

More than 273,400 customers received support through WaterSure during 2025,26, with their annual bills falling by £428 on average.

Flexible payment plans

Some suppliers can also offer more flexible payment plans if you’re struggling to keep up with bills. 

This might include lower monthly payments, payment breaks or longer repayment periods if you already owe money.

Many water companies also run hardship funds that may be able to help clear water debt in certain circumstances.

You may also be able to get free water-saving devices from your supplier, such as water-saving shower heads, tap inserts or water butts. These can help reduce the amount of water you use and lower future bills.

Get debt advice

If you’re behind on your water bills, there’s a good chance you’re struggling to keep up with other bills too. 

In that case, it really helps to look at everything together rather than tackling one debt at a time.

We can go through your income and outgoings with you, check if you're missing out on any benefits or support you're entitled to, and talk you through the options for dealing with what you owe. 

Speak to us and we'll work out where you stand.

Can my water be cut off?

No, water companies in England and Wales aren't allowed to disconnect a household's supply over an unpaid bill.

But the debt doesn't go away on its own. 

Your water company can pass the account to a debt collection agency, and it can take you to court. 

If a judge orders you to pay and you don't, that goes on your credit record and stays there for six years, which can make it harder to get a mortgage, a phone contract or a loan.

Find out more about what to do about water arrears here.