Understanding UK Water Bills: Metered vs Unmetered, Rates, and How to Reduce Yours
UK water bills can vary by hundreds of pounds depending on whether you have a meter and which company supplies you. This guide explains the system and how to reduce your bill.
Published: 15 Apr 2026 · Updated: 15 Apr 2026 · 6 min read
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How UK water billing works
Water in England and Wales is supplied by 17 regional water companies, each with a monopoly in its geographic area. You cannot switch water supplier the way you switch energy suppliers. Your water company is determined by where the property is.
Each water company has its own rates and its own approach to metering. Some areas (e.g. parts of Anglian Water) have near-universal metering. Others (e.g. parts of Thames Water) have a mix of metered and unmetered properties.
Bills cover three components:
1. Water in: the cost of supplying water to the property
2. Water out (sewerage): the cost of removing waste water and surface water
3. Standing charges: a fixed daily charge regardless of usage
For metered customers, the water-in and water-out costs are based on actual cubic metres consumed. For unmetered customers, both are based on the rateable value of the property (a 1990 valuation system that no longer exists for council tax but is still used by water companies for unmetered billing).
Metered vs unmetered
Metered
You pay for what you use. A typical 2-person household uses around 80 to 100 cubic metres per year. At average UK water and sewerage rates (around £2 to £4 per cubic metre combined depending on region) that is £160 to £400 per year plus standing charges.
A typical 4-person household uses 130 to 180 cubic metres per year, costing £260 to £720 per year plus standing charges.
Unmetered
You pay a fixed annual amount based on the rateable value of the property. The rateable value was set in 1990 and reflects the property's notional rental value at that time. Larger or higher-value properties have higher rateable values and pay more.
For a 4-person household in an unmetered property with an average rateable value, the annual bill is typically £400 to £700.
Should you switch to a meter
Most households save money by switching to a meter, especially smaller households (1 or 2 people) in larger properties. The water company will install a meter free if you request one and your supply pipe is suitable.
You have a 12 month or 24 month settling-in period (depending on company) during which you can revert to unmetered billing if you find the metered bill is higher. After that, you cannot revert, so use the trial period to compare bills properly.
The general rule: if your number of bedrooms exceeds the number of people in the household, a meter usually saves money.
How to reduce your water bill
Have fewer leaks
A dripping tap can waste 5,000 litres of water a year. A running toilet can waste 200 to 400 litres a day. Fix leaks promptly. The supply pipe from the boundary to the meter or stopcock is usually your responsibility; leaks here are common in older properties and can dramatically inflate metered bills.
Install efficient fittings
Low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilets, and water-efficient washing machines all reduce consumption. Some water companies offer free water-saving devices to customers.
Garden water
A hose pipe uses around 1,000 litres per hour. If you use it on a metered supply for an hour twice a week through summer, that is around 30,000 litres per year, costing around £75 in water and a similar amount in sewerage. Install a water butt to collect rainwater for the garden.
Sewerage rebate for surface water
If your property has soakaways or French drains rather than a connection to the sewer for surface water, you can apply for a surface water sewerage rebate. The rebate is typically £30 to £90 per year. Most companies require photographic evidence and a property inspection.
WaterSure (low income households)
Households on certain benefits with a vulnerable resident can apply for the WaterSure cap, which limits the bill to no more than the average household bill in your region.
Finding out who supplies your area
The Consumer Council for Water has a postcode look-up at ccwater.org.uk. Property Passport UK does not currently surface the water company for each property, but you can find your local authority on Property Passport UK at [/search](/search) and use that as the starting point.
Property purchase considerations
When buying a property, ask:
1. Is it metered or unmetered?
2. What is the typical annual bill? (the seller's TA6 should tell you)
3. Is there a private supply (well or borehole rather than mains)?
4. Who handles the surface water drainage?
5. Are there any known leaks in the supply pipe?
Older properties on lead supply pipes should have the supply pipe replaced as part of any plumbing upgrade because lead is a health hazard at any level.
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Property Passport UK shows verified data for every one of the 19.35 million properties in England and Wales, including EPC, flood risk, listed status, sold prices, and the local authority. Search any address or postcode at [/search](/search), or browse sold prices by district at [/sold-prices](/sold-prices).
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