How to Reduce Your Water Bills

Nick Saving Money 4 Comments

With the current cost-of-living crisis, we all need to save money any way we can. So today I’m looking at some ways you may be able to reduce your water bills.

It should be said that water pricing varies across the UK. In England and Wales, unless you have a water meter, the price you pay will depend on the rateable value of your home. In Scotland – again unless you have a meter – you will pay a standard water charge with your council tax. Domestic customers in Northern Ireland are fortunate in that they are not generally required to pay a water bill at all.

Should You Get a Water Meter?

The average water bill for unmetered customers is currently around £400 a year. 

If you’re on a low income, that can represent a significant portion of your money. And unlike gas and electricity, you can’t just shop around for a better deal with a different supplier. You may, though, be able to make substantial savings by having a water meter installed.

With a meter, you are of course charged according to the amount of water you use. A rule of thumb here is that if your home has more bedrooms than occupants or the same number, it is worth looking into getting a meter installed.

Of course, people vary considerably in how much water they require. So you can use this free calculator from the Consumer Council for Water to check whether you are likely to save money with a meter. It asks a series of questions about your home and your water usage and shows the estimated cost if you had a meter. You can then compare this with what you ‘re paying currently.

The good news is that in England and Wales (though not Scotland) water companies will normally install a water meter free of charge if requested. Even better, they will usually let you switch back to unmetered within 12 or even 24 months if you find you are paying more than you were before. You should check with your water company to find out their policy about this.

• If your water company can’t fit a meter for some reason, you can ask for an ‘assessed charge bill’. This is calculated according to the size of your home and how many people live there. If it comes to more than you’re currently paying you can stick with your present billing method, so there is nothing to lose by asking for this.

Ways to Save Money With A Water Meter

Once you have a meter installed, there are many ways you can reduce your water usage and save yourself money (and benefit the environment too). Here are just a few…

• Only ever use the washing machine with a full load.
• Have showers rather than baths and keep them short.
• Fit a water-efficient ‘low-flow’ showerhead.
• Do all the washing-up in one go.
• Use a dishwasher, or at least a washing-up bowl.
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
• Don’t use the toilet as a waste bin for paper tissues, etc.
• Fix dripping taps and other leaks as soon as possible.
• Go easy on watering the garden. If possible, collect rain in a water butt and use this.

Finally, most water companies offer gadgets to save water, which they will send you for free. Phone them or check on their website to find out what’s available.

Other Ways to Reduce Your Water Bills

If you’re on a low income, all the water companies have schemes designed to help you. These vary a lot and you will need to check with the company supplying you to find out what they offer. 

Severn Trent, for example, has what it calls The Big Difference Scheme. If your household income is below £16,480, you could get up to 90 percent off your bills. You can read more about this here.

I hope this advice will help you reduce your water bills. If you have any additional suggestions – or other comments or questions about this post – please do leave them below.