Greater than 27 million folks are actually affected by water-use restrictions as drought situations grip giant components of the nation, with Wessex Water turning into the most recent provider to announce a hosepipe ban for its 1.4 million clients from 18 August 2026.
For households already coping with increased meals, power and housing prices, being informed to preserve water whereas paying a whole lot of kilos a 12 months for it might be notably irritating.
However there is a crucial distinction between your water provide and your water invoice.
You can not merely store round and swap home water firm in the best way you’ll be able to with broadband or insurance coverage, however that doesn’t imply you need to assume the determine in your newest invoice is the bottom you’ll be able to pay.
From social tariffs and WaterSure to water meters, assessed costs, free water-saving devices and costs which may be detachable altogether, there are a stunning variety of checks households could make.
MoneyMagpie fast examine
Water UK says round 2.5 million households are anticipated to obtain assist with water payments in 2026/27, with an anticipated common low cost of round 40% throughout affordability assist. If cash is tight, don’t assume you earn an excessive amount of or aren’t eligible. Examine.
How a lot is the common water invoice in 2026?
The typical mixed water and sewerage invoice in England and Wales is now £639 for 2026/27, in response to Water UK.
That is a rise of £33 a 12 months, or 5.4%, in contrast with the earlier 12 months, with the most recent costs taking impact from 1 April 2026.
It really works out at round £53.25 a month on common.
And it follows a a lot steeper enhance the 12 months earlier than. Common payments rose from £480 in 2024/25 to £603 in 2025/26, a rise of round 26%.
Water UK publishes the complete 2026/27 invoice breakdown right here.
£639 is barely a mean
Your precise invoice may very well be significantly increased or decrease relying in your water firm, the place you reside, whether or not you might have a meter and, for metered households, how a lot water you utilize.
Common water payments by firm in 2026/27
| Water firm | Common 2026/27 invoice | Enhance |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Water | £759 | 8% |
| South West Water | £740 | 6% |
| Wessex Water | £695 | 3% |
| Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water | £683 | 5% |
| Anglian Water | £674 | 7% |
| United Utilities | £660 | 9% |
| Thames Water | £658 | 0.4% |
| Yorkshire Water | £636 | 6% |
| Hafren Dyfrdwy | £635 | 9% |
| Severn Trent | £587 | 10% |
| Northumbrian Water | £535 | 6% |
These are common mixed water and wastewater payments printed by Water UK. Particular person family payments range.
Why are there hosepipe bans if our payments have gone up?
It’s an comprehensible query, notably if you happen to’re opening a £600-plus invoice whereas being informed you’ll be able to’t use your hosepipe.
The summer time of 2026 has positioned heavy strain on water provides after extended dry climate and repeated spells of maximum warmth.
By mid-August, water-use restrictions had been affecting greater than 27 million folks, and Wessex Water introduced its first hosepipe ban because the drought of 1976, protecting round 1.4 million clients in Bathtub, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire from 18 August.
Water payments, in the meantime, are being elevated partly to fund a serious programme of funding in water and wastewater infrastructure. Water UK says corporations plan to speculate round £20 billion throughout 2026/27 as a part of a wider £104 billion programme working to 2030.
However a hosepipe ban doesn’t routinely imply a less expensive invoice
A brief restriction on how you utilize water doesn’t usually cut back your invoice by itself. Nonetheless, in case you are metered, utilizing much less water can cut back the consumption aspect of what you pay.
First examine: might you get a less expensive social tariff?
This must be one of many first checks for anybody discovering their water invoice tough to afford.
Water corporations supply social tariffs that may cut back payments for purchasers on decrease incomes or in monetary problem.
The awkward half is that eligibility varies by firm. There isn’t any single family revenue determine that applies to each provider.
Relying in your supplier, eligibility might take account of:
- your family revenue;
- whether or not you obtain means-tested advantages;
- Council Tax assist;
- the variety of folks in your family;
- your important family spending; and
- different monetary circumstances.
Meaning you need to not assume being in work routinely guidelines you out.
Water UK says round 2.5 million households are anticipated to obtain affordability assist in 2026/27, with an anticipated common low cost of round 40%.
Individually, earlier CCW figures confirmed that just about two million clients receiving assist particularly by means of water-company social tariffs noticed their payments lowered by round £190 on common.
Don’t assume you received’t qualify
For those who’re struggling, contact your water firm and say:
“Are you able to examine whether or not I qualify in your social tariff and each different affordability scheme you presently supply?”
Asking for a full affordability examine is best than asking solely whether or not you’ll be able to pay your invoice just a few days later.
You can too use the Shopper Council for Water’s assist with payments info to seek out assist out there out of your provider.
Might a water meter prevent cash?
For those who don’t have already got a meter, this is among the most essential water invoice checks to make.
Unmetered payments are usually based mostly on the property’s historic rateable worth moderately than how a lot water your family really makes use of.
With a water meter, your precise water consumption turns into an essential a part of your invoice.
One generally used rule of thumb is to analyze a meter if there are fewer folks dwelling in your property than there are bedrooms.
For instance, one particular person dwelling in a three-bedroom home might use comparatively little water however nonetheless be paying an unmetered cost based mostly on the property.
Don’t guess whether or not a water meter is cheaper
Use the free CCW water meter calculator. It makes use of 2026/27 costs to estimate whether or not your family may very well be higher off.
In lots of circumstances, households selecting to have a meter fitted can even change again to an unmetered cost inside a set interval in the event that they resolve it’s not proper for them, though exceptions apply. Examine the precise guidelines together with your provider earlier than switching.
What in case your water firm can’t set up a meter?
Don’t assume that’s the top of the saving.
For those who request a meter however your water firm can’t moderately set up one, you could possibly transfer onto an assessed cost.
This estimates what you might need paid in case your water consumption might have been metered.
It may be particularly price investigating if just one particular person lives within the property.
Ask this if a meter isn’t attainable
“For those who can’t match a water meter at my property, can I’ve an assessed cost as a substitute?”
WaterSure modified in 2026, so examine your eligibility
That is notably essential this 12 months.
The Authorities introduced a serious overhaul of WaterSure in March 2026, describing it as the most important reform of the scheme in nearly 30 years.
WaterSure caps water payments for sure low-income metered households which have unusually excessive important water use.
The Authorities mentioned the modifications imply round 300,000 households will profit from WaterSure.
Earlier than the reforms, round 260,000 households had been already benefiting and saving a mean of roughly £325 every. Modifications embrace increasing eligibility to incorporate incapacity advantages, whereas many present recipients are anticipated to see additional financial savings.
You may learn the Authorities’s WaterSure 2026 announcement right here.
Who’s WaterSure for?
Broadly, it helps some low-income households on a water meter that want to make use of vital quantities of water due to:
- a qualifying medical situation or disability-related want; or
- having three or extra kids dwelling at residence, topic to the scheme guidelines.
Eligibility guidelines matter, so examine with your personal water firm moderately than assuming you do or don’t qualify.
And if you happen to investigated WaterSure up to now however had been unsuccessful, examine once more below the 2026 guidelines.
Examine whether or not you’re paying costs you shouldn’t be
Don’t simply have a look at the overall on the backside of your invoice.
Have a look at precisely what you’re being charged for.
Floor water drainage
Many payments embrace a cost for taking rainwater out of your property into the general public sewer system.
Nonetheless, in case your property’s floor water doesn’t drain into the general public sewer, for instance as a result of it drains completely right into a soakaway, you could possibly have the cost eliminated.
For those who’re unsure, ask your water firm the way it has decided the cost.
Personal drainage
Equally, in case your property makes use of a septic tank or one other personal drainage association moderately than the general public sewer community, examine that you’re not paying wastewater costs for a service you don’t obtain.
MoneyMagpie tip
Ask your provider to clarify each line of your invoice. If a cost seems improper, problem it. For those who’ve been incorrectly charged in earlier years, ask whether or not a refund will be backdated.
Has your water invoice all of a sudden jumped? Examine for a leak
In case you have a water meter and your invoice unexpectedly shoots up, don’t routinely assume your family has merely used extra water.
A leak may very well be accountable.
Issues to analyze embrace:
- dripping faucets;
- bogs that continuously trickle or refill;
- damp patches;
- outdoors pipework;
- unexplained modifications in your meter studying; and
- a meter that seems to maneuver whereas no water is getting used.
For those who uncover a leak, contact your provider rapidly.
Some corporations present a leakage allowance that will cut back a excessive metered invoice after an eligible leak is repaired.
Insurance policies differ, so ask moderately than assuming it is going to be utilized routinely.
Get free water-saving devices earlier than shopping for them
If the hosepipe ban has inspired you to start out saving water, don’t instantly spend cash on water-saving tools.
Your provider might offer you a few of it free of charge.
Relying on the corporate and space, free merchandise can embrace:
- water-efficient bathe heads;
- bathe timers;
- faucet aerators;
- bathroom cistern units;
- leaky-loo detection strips; and
- backyard water-saving merchandise.
The Shopper Council for Water has info on discovering free water-saving merchandise.
For those who’re on a meter, each litre issues
Decreasing pointless water consumption can instantly cut back the utilization aspect of a metered invoice, so free water-saving units may very well be price ordering even when each solely produces a comparatively small saving.
Lower your water and power payments on the identical time
There’s one other sort of water saving that’s notably helpful: sizzling water.
For those who don’t have a water meter, decreasing the quantity of chilly water you utilize received’t usually cut back your water cost since you aren’t billed in response to consumption.
However decreasing hot-water use can nonetheless get monetary savings since you pay for the power required to warmth it.
Attempt:
- taking barely shorter showers;
- repairing dripping sizzling faucets;
- solely working washing machines with full masses the place applicable;
- solely working the dishwasher when full;
- avoiding leaving sizzling faucets working unnecessarily; and
- utilizing an environment friendly bathe head the place appropriate.
For those who’re on a water meter, these measures might doubtlessly prevent cash on each your water and power payments.
What if you happen to merely can’t afford your water invoice?
Contact your water firm moderately than merely cancelling your Direct Debit.
Inform them you’re struggling and ask them to evaluate you for all of their out there affordability schemes.
Relying in your provider and circumstances, assist might embrace:
- a social tariff;
- WaterSure;
- hardship funds;
- debt-matching schemes;
- fee breaks;
- decrease compensation preparations;
- weekly or fortnightly funds;
- altering your fee date;
- debt assist; and
- Water Direct in some circumstances.
What to say to your water firm
“I’m struggling to afford my water invoice. Please examine me in your social tariff, WaterSure, hardship funds, debt schemes and some other affordability assist I’m eligible for.”
You will discover unbiased info by means of the Shopper Council for Water.
In case you have a number of money owed or are battling important payments, contemplate getting free unbiased debt recommendation moderately than borrowing to fulfill the funds.
Might you be a part of the Precedence Companies Register?
Saving cash isn’t the one type of assist out there.
Water corporations function free Precedence Companies for purchasers who may have further help.
That may embrace folks whose age, incapacity, medical circumstances or communication wants make an interruption to their water provide notably tough.
With drought and water restrictions making headlines this summer time, it’s price checking that your provider is aware of if anyone in your family could be notably susceptible throughout a lack of provide.
Are households getting sufficient assist with water payments?
The quantity of economic assist out there has elevated significantly.
Water UK says an extra 300,000 households are anticipated to obtain assist in 2026/27, bringing the overall to round 2.5 million households.
The business expects the common low cost throughout affordability assist to be round 40%, with £4.1 billion of buyer assist dedicated over the interval from 2025 to 2030.
Nonetheless, the schemes out there and eligibility standards nonetheless range between suppliers.
That’s the reason probably the most helpful response to the water invoice enhance just isn’t merely to make use of much less water.
Examine whether or not you’re paying the correct amount within the first place.
The ten-minute MoneyMagpie water invoice MOT
Earlier than your subsequent water fee leaves your account, examine these 10 issues:
- Might I qualify for my water firm’s social tariff?
- Would a water meter save me cash?
- If a meter can’t be fitted, might I get an assessed cost?
- Might I qualify for WaterSure below the 2026 guidelines?
- Am I paying a floor water drainage cost unnecessarily?
- Am I paying for sewerage companies I don’t obtain?
- Has my metered water utilization elevated unexpectedly?
- Might I’ve a leak?
- Can I get free water-saving tools?
- Does my provider supply hardship, debt or fee assist?
The MoneyMagpie verdict
Being requested to make use of much less water whereas paying a mean of £639 a 12 months is understandably going to go away some households asking what they’re getting for his or her cash.
You may’t merely swap home water provider and hunt for a less expensive tariff.
However that doesn’t imply you’re powerless.
Hundreds of thousands of households are receiving water invoice assist, whereas social tariffs, WaterSure, meters, assessed costs, leakage allowances and the elimination of incorrect costs might all make an actual distinction in the appropriate circumstances.
And with water restrictions spreading throughout August, now’s a very good time to seek out your newest invoice and spend ten minutes going by means of it.
The essential factor is to not assume the quantity in your invoice is the one quantity you could possibly probably pay.
Info checked: 17 August 2026
Water restrictions can change rapidly. At all times examine your personal water firm’s newest guidelines earlier than utilizing a hosepipe. Monetary assist and eligibility additionally range between corporations and particular person circumstances.
Water invoice FAQs
What’s the common water invoice in 2026?
The typical mixed family water and sewerage invoice in England and Wales is £639 for 2026/27, in response to Water UK. That’s £33, or 5.4%, increased than the earlier 12 months’s common.
Can I swap water firm to get a less expensive invoice?
Most home clients in England and Wales can’t select a unique water provider merely to get a less expensive family tariff. As a substitute, examine whether or not you could possibly cut back your present invoice by means of a social tariff, WaterSure, a water meter, assessed costs or different assist.
Can I get assist paying my water invoice?
Doubtlessly. Water corporations supply affordability assist that may embrace social tariffs, WaterSure, hardship schemes, versatile fee plans, debt assist and different help. Eligibility varies, so contact your provider and ask for a full affordability evaluation.
Would a water meter make my invoice cheaper?
It depends upon your family and present tariff. A meter could also be notably price investigating when fewer folks reside in a property than there are bedrooms. Use the Shopper Council for Water’s water meter calculator earlier than deciding.
What’s WaterSure?
WaterSure is a scheme that may cap payments for sure low-income households with a water meter that want to make use of a excessive quantity of water due to medical wants or household circumstances. The scheme was reformed in 2026, so households that beforehand didn’t qualify ought to examine the present guidelines.
Does a hosepipe ban imply I get a water invoice refund?
A hosepipe ban doesn’t usually imply clients routinely obtain a discount of their water invoice. Nonetheless, metered clients who use much less water throughout restrictions may even see decrease consumption costs.
Can I cut back my water invoice if I reside alone?
Probably. In case you have an unmetered invoice, examine whether or not a water meter might prevent cash. If a meter can’t be put in, ask your water firm whether or not you could possibly qualify for an assessed cost or single-occupier tariff the place out there.
What ought to I do if my metered water invoice all of a sudden will increase?
Examine your meter readings and examine for leaks, together with leaking bogs, dripping faucets and pipework. For those who discover and restore an eligible leak, ask your water firm whether or not it affords a leakage allowance.
