Blackpool Water Supplier
Blackpool's water is supplied by United Utilities, the sole water and sewerage company for the North West of England. United Utilities serves around 7 million people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, making it the largest listed water company in the UK by customer base.
If you have just moved to Blackpool, you do not need to choose or sign up with a water supplier - water is a regional monopoly and you cannot switch. You simply need to register your details with United Utilities so your account is opened and bills are issued in your name. You can do this by calling the relevant number below or registering on the United Utilities website.
| Service | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Metered customers | 0345 672 2999 | Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm |
| Non-metered customers | 0345 672 2888 | Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm |
| Sewerage & wastewater emergencies | 0345 672 3723 | 24 hours, 7 days |
Source: United Utilities published customer contact numbers. Calls to numbers starting with 03 may be charged at local rates by your phone company and are normally included in inclusive minute bundles.
For a full list of phone numbers, complaints procedures and alternative contact channels, see our dedicated United Utilities contact number guide.
Water Rates in Blackpool
Water rates in Blackpool depend on whether your property is metered or non-metered. The average annual water bill in Blackpool is approximately £425, combining both water supply and sewerage costs. This is broadly in line with the national UK average.
You can easily tell which billing method applies to your home by checking your water bill. Metered properties show a meter number, while non-metered properties display a rateable value - a figure set by the local council in the 1990s that has likely remained unchanged since then. If you have just moved in and do not yet have a bill, look outside your property or in the front garden for a meter box; sometimes the meter is located inside the house near the stop tap.
Metered customers are billed according to their actual usage, measured in cubic metres (m³) from meter readings submitted to United Utilities. If you live alone or in a small household, a water meter can often work out cheaper than the rateable-value charge - United Utilities installs meters free of charge on request. See our water meters guide for more detail on requesting and reading a meter, and our water meter reading guide for step-by-step instructions.
For a broader view of how Blackpool compares with the rest of the country, see our average water bill UK guide and our overview of water rates in the UK.
Water Hardness in Blackpool
Blackpool water hardness is rated as soft, with a mineral content of less than 60 ppm (parts per million). While rainwater itself is relatively soft, water hardness can change through the water cycle as water filters through rocks and picks up dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium on the way to your tap.
Because Blackpool's supply comes primarily from the Lake District, where water flows over hard, impermeable rocks, very little calcium or magnesium is absorbed. Soft water means Blackpool residents benefit from reduced limescale buildup in kettles, washing machines, dishwashers and boilers, as well as softer laundry, lower energy bills and a longer appliance lifespan compared to households in hard water areas of southern and eastern England.
To find out whether other towns in your area have similar water, see our water hardness by area guide.
Can You Drink Blackpool Water?
Yes - you can drink the water in Blackpool. Blackpool tap water meets very high standards set by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), making it completely safe to drink straight from the tap. The water quality of Blackpool was rated at 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, eliminating the need to boil or filter tap water before drinking.
If you notice a change in the taste or smell of your water, the most common causes are:
- Chlorination - United Utilities adds a small amount of chlorine to maintain hygiene in the pipe network, and this can sometimes be noticeable.
- Seasonal variations - water drawn from different reservoirs at different times of year can produce earthy smells or slightly different tastes.
- Household plumbing - old copper or lead pipes, poorly maintained tanks or a stagnant stretch of pipe can contribute metallic, salty or rubbery hints to the water.
Running the cold tap for a minute before drinking usually clears any short-term issue. If the problem persists, contact United Utilities so they can investigate the supply.
Blackpool Water Problems
Blackpool water problems can include anything from a burst water main or flooding to a complete loss of supply at your property. If you notice a leak, burst pipe, flooding, loss of supply or discoloured water in Blackpool, United Utilities runs a 24/7 emergency line on 0345 672 3723. You do not need to be the account holder to report a problem - anyone can call.
How to Report a Leak or Flooding
If you notice a water leak or flooding outside your Blackpool property, you can report it through any of the following channels:
- Phone - 0345 672 3723 (24/7 emergencies)
- Twitter (X) - tag @unitedutilities or send a direct message
- Website - complete the online form via the "report a leak" section of unitedutilities.com
What to Do If You Have No Water
If you suddenly have no water at your Blackpool property, work through these steps before calling United Utilities:
- Check the "In Your Area" section on the United Utilities website for known incidents in your postcode.
- Ask your neighbours whether they also have no water - if they do, the outage is on the network and United Utilities will already be aware.
- Verify that your internal stop tap is fully open (usually under the kitchen sink).
- Distinguish between a loss of cold water (a utility company issue) and a loss of hot water only (an internal plumbing or boiler issue).
If your cold water is completely unavailable after these checks, or if only your property is affected, call United Utilities on 0345 672 3723 so an engineer can investigate.
Water Discolouration
Discoloured water may occur after a recent pipe burst, repair or maintenance work on the pipes in Blackpool. It is not usually harmful and typically clears by running the cold water tap until the water runs clear. If the problem persists, contact United Utilities so they can investigate further.
Blackpool Water FAQ
Useful Blackpool Water Guides
Our related guides cover United Utilities in more depth and explain how UK water bills, meters and complaints procedures work.
- United Utilities supplier overview - coverage area, tariffs and services
- United Utilities contact numbers - every published phone line and opening hours
- United Utilities water meter - requesting and managing your meter
- Water meters guide - requesting, reading and understanding your meter
- Average water bill UK - how Blackpool compares to the rest of the country
- Water rates in the UK - how charges are calculated
- Water hardness by area - check hardness levels across the UK
- All UK water suppliers - find the right water company for your postcode