Who supplies my water?
Water and sewerage services in the UK are organised as regional monopolies. Each water company has a regional monopoly that supplies every household in a group of postcode areas, so the only way to change supplier is to move house. This is very different from the energy market, where you can compare and switch tariffs freely - see our guide on who supplies your electricity for the contrast.
In England and Wales there are 11 water and sewerage companies (WaSCs) plus 13 water-only companies (WoCs), all regulated by Ofwat. Water and sewerage companies bill for both drinking water and wastewater management. Water-only suppliers handle drinking water exclusively, with sewerage managed by the larger operator in the same area - though the customer still receives a single bill. Scotland and Northern Ireland each have a single public provider: Scottish Water and Northern Ireland Water respectively.
Main water and sewerage suppliers by region
| Region | Supplier |
|---|---|
| London, Thames Valley, Surrey | Thames Water |
| South East England | Southern Water |
| South West England, Cornwall, Devon | South West Water |
| Wessex, Dorset, Somerset | Wessex Water |
| West Midlands, Mid Wales | Severn Trent Water |
| North West England | United Utilities |
| Yorkshire | Yorkshire Water |
| North East England | Northumbrian Water |
| Eastern England | Anglian Water |
| Wales | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Water |
| Scotland | Scottish Water |
Water-only companies (such as Affinity Water, South East Water, SES Water or Portsmouth Water) operate alongside these WaSCs in certain postcodes and handle drinking water only; wastewater is still billed through the regional WaSC.
How do I close my water account when I move out?
When you move out, you must close your water account and settle any outstanding balance. Most suppliers let you do this online through your customer area or over the phone - ideally give them at least 48 hours' notice of your move-out date so the final bill lands on the correct day. If your property has a water meter, take a final reading on the day you leave and keep a dated photo as proof; this is your best defence against disputed closing bills.
Have your account number, the move-out date, a forwarding address for the final bill and the closing meter reading ready when you contact the supplier. If the property is unmetered and billed on rateable value, the supplier will usually pro-rata the annual charge to the day you leave.
How do I set up my water bill in a new home?
When you arrive in a new property, the first question is whether it is metered or unmetered. If you have a water meter, you will be billed according to your actual water usage; if not, your bill is based on the property's rateable value. Contact your regional supplier as soon as you move in, give them the move-in date and (if applicable) an opening meter reading to open an account in your name.
What is rateable value?
Rateable value is an outdated council rate calculation method that was used to determine local taxes before 1990. Water companies still use it for charges on unmetered properties, basing the amount on the property's condition, age and size. Because the valuation was frozen more than thirty years ago, two identical homes on the same street can be billed very differently - a good reason to ask your supplier for a free water meter if you think your usage would be lower on a metered tariff.
Information you will need to open the account
You can usually register online or by phone. Have the following to hand before you start:
- Your full name (and the names of any joint account holders)
- An email address and phone number
- The property address and move-in date
- A water meter reading, if the property is metered
- Your bank details if paying by direct debit
Payment options vary by supplier but generally include direct debit, debit or credit card, payment at a Post Office or by cheque. Billing frequency also varies - some suppliers bill annually or bi-annually, while others offer monthly direct debit. Paying monthly by direct debit is usually the cheapest and easiest option.
Is there any support for my water bills?
If you are struggling to pay your water bill, every water company in England and Wales is required to offer a social tariff and hardship assistance. The best-known national scheme is WaterSure, which caps bills to the regional average for eligible metered households. Each supplier also runs its own discount schemes (for example Thames Water's WaterHelp, Severn Trent's Big Difference Scheme, or United Utilities' Help to Pay) - ask your supplier directly to see what you qualify for.
The WaterSure scheme
WaterSure is available to households that are on a water meter, receive a qualifying means-tested benefit, and either have a medical condition that requires them to use extra water or have three or more children under 19 living at home. The scheme caps the annual bill at the regional supplier's average, which can save eligible families several hundred pounds a year.
Qualifying medical conditions
- Desquamation (flaky skin disease)
- Weeping skin disease (eczema, psoriasis, varicose ulceration)
- Incontinence
- Abdominal stoma
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Renal failure requiring home dialysis
Benefit-eligible households
Families with three or more children under 19 living at home who receive one of the following benefits also qualify:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Job Seeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit (other than the family element)
- Pension Credit
To apply, contact your water supplier directly and ask for a WaterSure application form. You will need to provide proof of the qualifying benefit and, where relevant, a letter from a GP confirming the medical condition.
Frequently asked questions
Next steps after moving in
Once your water account is open, the next job is to sort out the rest of your utilities - electricity, gas, broadband and the TV licence. Our moving utilities guides walk you through each supplier in turn so nothing is forgotten on move-in day.