Macclesfield Water Supplier

United Utilities handles both water supply and sewerage services for Macclesfield and the surrounding area. It is the regional water company covering the whole of North West England, from Cumbria through Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

If you have just moved into Macclesfield, you do not need to sign up with United Utilities in the same way as with an energy supplier - water is a regional monopoly in the UK and you cannot switch. You simply need to register your details so your account is opened and the bill is issued in your name.

United Utilities water supply contact details for Macclesfield
Service Phone Hours
Metered customers0345 672 2888Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
Non-metered customers0345 672 2999Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
Wastewater & sewerage emergencies0345 672 372324 hours, 7 days

Source: United Utilities published customer contact numbers. Calls to 0345 numbers are charged at a standard landline rate and are normally included in inclusive minute bundles.

Where does Macclesfield's water come from? More than two-thirds of the water in the United Utilities coverage area comes from the Cumbrian reservoirs of Haweswater and Thirlmere, with additional supplies drawn from Wales, the Pennines, rivers and boreholes before being treated and distributed through the United Utilities network.

Water Rates in Macclesfield

Water rates in Macclesfield depend on whether your property is metered or non-metered. The average annual water bill in Macclesfield is approximately £419, combining both sewerage and supply costs.

Metered homes show a meter number on their bill, while non-metered homes display a rateable value set by local councils back in the 1990s. Meters are typically located outside the property in a boundary box, or near the internal stop tap under the kitchen sink.

Non-metered properties are billed according to these rateable values, which feed directly into the annual water charge. If your home was built after 1990 it will almost certainly have a water meter installed from the start.

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.

Struggling to pay? United Utilities runs several support schemes for customers in financial difficulty, including the Back on Track social tariff, payment breaks and the WaterSure Scheme for low-income metered households with high essential water use. Call 0345 672 2888 to check your eligibility.

Water Hardness in Macclesfield

Water in Macclesfield is classed as soft water. Despite rainwater being naturally soft, minerals such as magnesium and calcium can accumulate during the water cycle as it filters through local geology - but the upland reservoirs and catchments that supply Macclesfield sit largely on hard, impermeable rocks that contribute very little of either mineral to the supply.

Soft water means Macclesfield residents benefit from reduced limescale buildup in kettles, washing machines, dishwashers and boilers, as well as softer laundry and less soap scum compared to households in hard water areas of southern and eastern England. Appliances tend to last longer and consume less energy because heating elements stay free of scale.

Drinking Water Safety

Macclesfield water meets the high safety standards set by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and is safe to drink straight from the tap. The water quality of Macclesfield 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 supply, and this can sometimes be noticeable after a change in water treatment.
  • Seasonal variations - water drawn from upland reservoirs and river catchments can taste slightly different at different times of year depending on rainfall and reservoir conditions.
  • Household plumbing - old copper or lead pipes, poorly maintained tanks or a stagnant stretch of pipe can produce metallic, salty or rubbery hints in 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.

Macclesfield Water Problems

If you notice a leak, burst pipe, flooding, loss of supply or discoloured water in Macclesfield, United Utilities runs a 24/7 wastewater and 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

You can contact United Utilities through any of the following channels:

  • Phone - 0345 672 3723 (24/7 emergencies) or 0345 672 2888 (general enquiries)
  • Website - complete the online form via the "report a leak" section of unitedutilities.com
  • Social media - send a direct message to United Utilities on X (Twitter) or Facebook

What to Do If You Have No Water

If you suddenly have no water at your property, work through these steps before calling United Utilities:

  1. Check the "In Your Area" or interruptions map on the United Utilities website for known incidents in your postcode.
  2. 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.
  3. Verify that your internal stop tap is fully open (usually under the kitchen sink).
  4. Distinguish between a loss of cold water (a 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 Discoloration

Discoloured water may occur after pipe repairs or infrastructure upgrades in your area. Running the cold tap until the water runs clear typically resolves it. If the problem persists, contact United Utilities so they can investigate further.

Macclesfield Water FAQ

Water and sewerage services in Macclesfield are supplied by United Utilities, the regional water company for North West England. You cannot switch water supplier in the UK.

The average annual water bill in Macclesfield is approximately £419, combining both water supply and sewerage charges. The exact amount depends on whether your property is metered or billed on rateable value.

Macclesfield has soft water. The supply is drawn largely from upland reservoirs including Haweswater and Thirlmere in Cumbria, which sit on hard, impermeable rocks and pick up very little calcium or magnesium.

Yes. Macclesfield tap water meets high regulatory standards and scored 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, meaning it is safe to drink straight from the tap without boiling or filtering.

Call United Utilities on 0345 672 3723, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for wastewater and emergency issues. You can also report leaks via the "report a leak" section of unitedutilities.com or through social media.

Useful Macclesfield Water Guides

Our related guides cover UK water suppliers in more depth and explain how water bills, meters and complaints procedures work.

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