Water is one of the most essential things that we need in life, yet we take it for granted. So much so that itâs easy to forget that we pay for it. The average water bill was ÂŁ408 in the financial year 2021 to 2022. This is according to Water UK, who represent the UKâs water industry.
But there are things you can do to reduce your water bills. You can take on some money saving tips without making any major changes to your lifestyle.
Table of Contents
12 best ways to reduce your water bills and save money
1. Understand your water bill
How your bill is worked out will depend on whether you have a water meter.
- If you donât have a water meter
The water company will use the rateable value on your home. This is set by the government and will vary depending on the location and size of your home. For every ÂŁ1 of the rateable value, the water company will charge you a rate for your fresh water. Theyâll also charge you a rate per ÂŁ1 for your wastewater.
This means that the amount you pay will be fixed each month
- If you have a water meter
If you have a water meter, the water company will take a reading from your meter. Theyâll then charge you a rate per unit you use. Thereâll be two rates charged, one will be for fresh water and the other will be for wastewater.
By having a meter, you only pay for the water you use, so the amount you pay can change with each bill.
Both bills will have fixed charges added to them which cover things like pipes and running costs.
2. Check for leaks in your home
A dripping tap can not only be annoying, but if you have a water meter every drip will be adding to your water bill. Avoid wasting water and get any leaks or dripping taps fixed.
3. Install a low-flow shower head and tap aerators
A low-flow shower head helps you to use less water when you shower. Although it uses a lower flow of water, it doesnât always mean your shower will be weak. You can buy some that use air or smaller holes to create a higher pressure.
Tap aerators can also save you money if have a water meter. These are small attachments that you insert to the spout of your tap, or you connect them onto the end of the tap. They use less water, but you donât lose any pressure as they mix the water with air.
4. Take shorter showers
Save on the amount of water you use by spending less time in the shower. Turn it off while you soap yourself down and then turn it back on to rinse. Try to be in and out in less than 4 minutes!
5. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
Itâs easy to forget that the tap is running while youâre brushing your teeth. But by switching it off while you brush, youâll be saving yourself money on your water bill if you have a meter.
6. Use a bowl in the sink when washing fruit and vegetables
When you bring your shopping home, get a bowl of water ready. Wash all your fruit and vegetables in the bowl of water before putting it away. You not only save on the amount of water you use, but you also save a little time when you come to use the fruit and vegetables too.
7. Collect rainwater for watering plants or washing your vehicle
A water butt is an easy to install container that connects to your drainpipe. With the amount of rain we get in the UK, itâll be full for most of the year. This water can be used for anything that needs water outside, from watering your plants to washing your car.
8. Reuse âgreywaterâ from laundry and dishwashing for other purposes such as flushing toilets
Once youâve done the washing up, save the water in the washing up bowl to use of other things. If you like to rinse your plates before putting them in the dishwasher, use this water instead. It can be good for flushing the toilet with too.
9. Only use your dishwasher and washing machine when theyâre full
If you put your dishwasher on when itâs only half full, youâre not only wasting water but youâre wasting energy too. The same goes for your washing machine. Wait until these appliances are full before you put them on. By putting them on less often youâll save money on your water bill as well as on your electricity bill.
10. Consider installing a water meter to track your water usage
You have the right to ask the water company to install a water meter for you. Itâs free of charge and they should install it within three months of your request. There may be reasons why your water company canât install a meter. This might be because your property is on a shared supply or thereâs not a suitable place to install it.
If the water company canât install a meter, they should offer you an âassessed chargeâ. This is an estimate of what your water bill would be if you had a water meter installed.
11. Invest in water saving appliances when replacing old ones
If you need to replace any of your appliances around the home, buy ones that save water. You can get washing machines and dishwashers that use less water in their washing cycles. If youâre installing a new bathroom, replace your old toilet with a water saving one. And as mentioned above, use low flow heads on your shower.
12. Contact your water supply company to find out about any discounts or rebates on water bills
Itâs worth getting in touch with your water company to find out if there are any discounts or rebates youâre entitled to. If you need to use a lot of water due to a medical condition, you may be able to get help. For example, you may have access to the âWaterSureâ scheme. This helps people with their water bills by putting a cap on how much you can be charged. But you have to meet their criteria to qualify for the scheme.
How is your water bill calculated?
The way your water bill is calculated is differs depending on whether you have a water meter.
Having a water meter means youâre charged a rate for every unit of water you use and for the wastewater. The table below gives an example of how this is worked out, itâs a simplified way of looking at it.
A | B | C | Total amount |
The rate charged per unit of fresh and wastewater you use | The number of units youâve used | Total of A multiplied by B | Fixed Charges to be added to the figure in column C to give the final amount |
If you donât have a water meter, the table below shows the calculation.
A | B | C | Total amount |
The rate charged per ÂŁ1 of the rateable value on your home | The rateable value of your home | Total of A multiplied by B | Fixed Charges to be added to the figure in column C to give the final amount |
How much should your water bill be per month in the UK?
No two homes are the same with how many people live there or how they use water. The size of the house and which water supplier youâre connected to can also affect how much you pay. These are one of the reasons why thereâs no set figure of how much your water bill should be. But in general, if youâre not on a water meter, your water bill should stay about the same amount. If youâre on a water meter, your bill may fluctuate but not by great amounts.
The reasons your water bill might go up include:
- Youâve had extra people staying with you using more water
- Youâve bought new appliances that are using more water
- You have a leak in one of your pipes or a dripping tap
How could the Priority Services Register help you?
The Priority Services Register is a support service that offers help to people who are vulnerable. Itâs free to register but youâd have to be eligible for it. The reasons youâd be able to register include being elderly or having a medical condition.
The kind of help it provides include:
- Priority support when needed
- Providing accessible information which includes things like having bills in large print
- Providing you with bottled water if the supply has to be cut off
- Where possible, youâd get advance notice if your supply had to be cut off
Final words
There are easy ways to save money on your water bill in the UK. You can do things like take shorter showers, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, or only use the dishwasher when itâs full. Taking time to think about how you use water on a day to day basis is worth doing. Not only can it save you money, but it can help save the planet too.
FAQs
What is the average water bill for a family of 2 in UK?
Itâs hard to determine what an average bill for a family of 2 should be. Where you live and how you use water can affect your water bill. Although, as per Moneyhelper, the average water bill for a family of 2 in UK comes somewhere around ÂŁ401 per year i.e., close to ÂŁ33 per month.
Is it cheaper to pay your water bill by direct debit?
No, paying your water bill by direct debit isnât any cheaper. But it does save you having to worry about it as the money goes out automatically each month. If you prefer not to pay by direct debit, you can pay your water bills over the phone, online, or at the Post Office.
What do I do if Iâm struggling to pay my water bill?
If youâre struggling to pay your water bill, the first thing to do is contact your water supplier. Theyâll be able to tell you what help is available. This could include:
1. Letting you take a payment holiday
2. Setting up a payment plan to help you with your payments
3. If you havenât got a water meter, they can work out if youâd be better off having one installed
4. Registering with the Watersure scheme
Disclaimer: The information given above is provided for reference only. This is not financial advice.