Northwich Water Supplier

Northwich's water is supplied by United Utilities, the sole water and sewerage company for the North West of England. United Utilities serves around seven million people across the region, from Cumbria down to Cheshire.

If you have just moved into Northwich, 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.

The table below lists the key contact numbers for United Utilities in the Northwich area. Calls to numbers starting with 03 may be charged at local rates by your phone company.

United Utilities water supply contact details for Northwich
Service Phone Hours
Metered billing enquiries0345 672 2888Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
Non-metered billing enquiries0345 672 2999Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
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 Northwich'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 in the Lake District, from the Pennines or Lake Vyrnwy in Wales. A quarter comes from rivers such as the River Dee, and the rest is sourced from boreholes.

Water Rates in Northwich

Water rates in Northwich depend on whether your property is metered or non-metered. The average annual water bill in Northwich is approximately £419, combining both sewerage and supply costs. This is broadly in line with the UK national average.

Metered homes will have a meter number listed on their water bills, while non-metered homes display a rateable value determined by the local council in the 1990s. Meters are typically located outside the property in a boundary box, or near the internal stop tap under the kitchen sink.

If you are on a non-metered supply and think you could save money, United Utilities will install a water meter free of charge. Small households and low-usage properties usually benefit from switching to metered billing. You can find more detail in our guide to water meters.

Struggling to pay? United Utilities runs several support schemes for customers in financial difficulty, including the Back on Track social tariff, payment plans 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 Northwich

Water in Northwich is classed as hard water. The local geology - particularly the salt and mineral deposits of the Cheshire Plain - means that the water picks up higher levels of calcium and magnesium as it filters through the ground, resulting in harder water compared to areas supplied from upland reservoirs.

Hard water in Northwich means residents are more likely to experience limescale buildup in kettles, washing machines, dishwashers and boilers. Heating elements can become less efficient over time, and you may notice white deposits around taps and showerheads. You can learn more about hard and soft water across the UK in our water hardness by area guide.

To reduce the impact of hard water in your home, consider these practical tips:

  • Dishwashers - take advantage of the built-in water softener and make sure you regularly top it off with dishwasher salt in the appropriate compartment.
  • Baths, sinks and toilets - use an acidic sanitiser regularly (available in most local shops) to clear limescale deposits from susceptible surfaces.
  • Kettles - do not overfill your kettle. Half-fill it with water and add two tablespoons of white vinegar, leave for four hours to loosen scale, then rinse and repeat.

Drinking Water Safety

Yes, you can drink the water in Northwich without concern. Northwich's water meets very high standards set by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), making it safe to drink straight from the tap. The water quality of Northwich was scored at 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance.

If you notice a change in the taste or smell of your water, the most common causes are:

  • Chlorination - a safe way to ensure that the pipe network stays hygienic and healthy. United Utilities adds a small amount of chlorine that can sometimes be noticeable.
  • Seasonal changes - water characteristics can infuse the water in Northwich with an earthy taste or smell as elements and minerals change values and strength.
  • Household plumbing - old copper or lead pipes, poorly maintained tanks or a stagnant stretch of pipe can produce metallic, salty or rubbery hints.

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.

Northwich Water Problems

If you notice a leak, burst pipe, flooding, loss of supply or discoloured water in Northwich, 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.

You can also report issues by visiting the "Incident Check" or "Report a problem" section of the United Utilities website to follow their troubleshooting guide, or by contacting them on social media (X/Twitter).

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 "Diagnose, report and resolve" sections of the United Utilities website and follow their step-by-step guide.
  2. Ask your neighbours whether they have the same issue - if they are not affected, the problem most likely relates to your home's plumbing rather than a United Utilities outage.
  3. Check that your stop tap is open. If it is closed, change it to the open position.

If you have cold water but no hot water, the issue will be with your home plumbing (boiler or immersion heater) and not the water company, since the water supply to the property is still functional.

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.

Northwich Water FAQ

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

The average annual water bill in Northwich 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.

Northwich has hard water. The local geology of the Cheshire Plain means the water picks up higher levels of calcium and magnesium, leading to limescale buildup in kettles, appliances and pipes.

Yes. Northwich 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 sewerage and emergency issues. You can also report problems via the \"Incident Check\" section of the United Utilities website or on social media.

Useful Northwich Water Guides

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

Disclaimer: The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available.