Barrow-in-Furness Water Supplier
Barrow-in-Furness, on the south-western tip of Cumbria, is serviced by United Utilities, which handles both water supply and sewerage/wastewater services across the whole of the North West of England. You cannot switch your water supplier in the UK: every household in Barrow-in-Furness is automatically connected to United Utilities for clean water and wastewater removal. This guide brings together the supplier contact details, rates, water hardness and quality figures, and the steps to follow if you experience a problem with your supply.
United Utilities supplies around 7 million people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. More than two-thirds of the water in the United Utilities coverage area comes from the Cumbrian reservoirs of Haweswater and Thirlmere, from the Pennines or from Lake Vyrnwy in Wales - meaning a large share of the water flowing through Barrow-in-Furness taps originates in the surrounding Lake District and upland catchments.
| Service | Phone Number | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Metered water supply | 0345 672 2888 | Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm |
| Non-metered water supply | 0345 672 2999 | Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm |
| Sewerage & wastewater emergencies | 0345 672 3723 | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Source: United Utilities published customer contact details. Calls to 0345 numbers are charged at a standard landline rate and are usually included in inclusive call bundles.
Water Rates in Barrow-in-Furness
Water rates in Barrow-in-Furness depend on whether your property is metered or non-metered. The average annual household water bill in the area is approximately £419, combining the cost of clean water supply and sewerage/wastewater services. This figure is an average: your actual bill will vary with the size of your property, the number of occupants and how much water you use.
If your home is non-metered, United Utilities calculates your bill from the property's rateable value, a valuation assessed by the Valuation Office and based on factors like property size, age and local amenities. Rateable values are reviewed every few years. If your home is metered, you only pay for the water you actually use, measured in cubic metres (m³), plus a fixed standing charge for the service. Requesting a water meter from United Utilities is free and can be a good option for smaller households.
Barrow-in-Furness Water Hardness
Tap water in Barrow-in-Furness is classified as soft. Soft water is low in dissolved calcium and magnesium, which has several practical benefits for households: less limescale build-up on kettles, taps and shower heads; longer life for washing machines, dishwashers and boilers; and you typically need less soap, shampoo and detergent to get the same lather. You are unlikely to need a water softener in Barrow-in-Furness.
Water Quality
The water quality of Barrow-in-Furness was scored at 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate, meaning that tap water in the area is safe to drink straight from the tap. Mean zonal compliance measures how often water samples meet all the microbiological, chemical and physical standards set by UK and EU drinking water regulations.
In practice this means Barrow-in-Furness residents do not need to boil or filter tap water for safety reasons, although some people prefer filtered water purely for taste. If you notice a sudden change in taste, colour or smell, contact United Utilities immediately on 0345 672 3723.
Barrow-in-Furness Water Problems
If you run into a problem with your water supply in Barrow-in-Furness, the steps below will help you work out whether it is something you can fix yourself or an incident you need to report to United Utilities.
Leaks and Flooding
If you spot a leak on the street, a burst water main, water bubbling up from the pavement, or sewer flooding inside or outside your property, report it to United Utilities straight away. You can:
- Call the 24/7 emergency line on 0345 672 3723
- Tweet @unitedutilities for non-urgent reports
- Use the "report a problem" section of the United Utilities website
You do not need to be a United Utilities customer to report a leak - anyone who notices an incident in Barrow-in-Furness can flag it.
No Water Supply
If you turn on the tap and nothing comes out, work through these checks before calling United Utilities:
- Check your internal stop tap is fully open (usually under the kitchen sink)
- Check with a neighbour - if they have water, the problem is inside your property
- Check the United Utilities in-your-area page or their Twitter feed for reported incidents in Barrow-in-Furness
- Consult their troubleshooting guide for frozen pipes in winter or airlocks after maintenance work
If none of these resolve the issue, call United Utilities on 0345 672 3723 to report the loss of supply.
Barrow-in-Furness Water FAQ
Useful Guides for Barrow-in-Furness Residents
For more information on your water supplier, bills and how to contact them, see our in-depth United Utilities and UK water guides.
- United Utilities supplier overview - coverage area, tariffs and services
- United Utilities contact numbers - every phone line, opening hours and complaints process
- United Utilities water meter guide - how to request, read and switch to a meter
- All UK water suppliers - find the water company for any UK postcode
- UK water bills explained - average costs, metering and how charges are set