Preston Water Supplier

United Utilities handles both water supply and sewerage services for Preston and the wider Lancashire area. It is the regional water company for the whole of North West England, serving around 7 million people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

If you have just moved into Preston, you do not need to sign up with United Utilities in the same way as with an energy supplier - water is a regional monopoly 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 Preston
Service Phone Hours
Metered customers0345 672 2999Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
Non-metered customers0345 672 2888Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
Sewerage & wastewater 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 Preston's water come from? More than two-thirds of the water in the United Utilities coverage region comes from the Cumbrian reservoirs of Haweswater and Thirlmere in the Lake District. The remainder is drawn from local reservoirs, rivers and boreholes across the North West.

For a full list of phone numbers, complaints procedures and alternative contact channels, see our dedicated United Utilities contact number guide.

Water Rates in Preston

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

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 or near the internal stop tap under the kitchen sink.

Non-metered properties are billed according to these rateable values, which are reviewed every five years by United Utilities and 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 including Back on Track (reduced tariff for financial hardship), Payment Break, Payment Matching and the WaterSure Scheme for low-income metered households. Call 0800 076 6765 to check your eligibility.

Water Hardness in Preston

Water in Preston 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 in the North West the Lake District catchment area flows over hard, impermeable rocks that contribute very little of either mineral to the supply.

Soft water means Preston 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

Preston 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 Preston 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 different reservoirs or boreholes at different times of year can taste slightly different.
  • 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.

Preston Water Problems

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

You can contact United Utilities 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 property, work through these steps before calling United Utilities:

  1. Check the "In Your Area" section 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.

Preston Water FAQ

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

The average annual water bill in Preston 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.

Preston has soft water. The supply comes largely from the Cumbrian reservoirs of Haweswater and Thirlmere, which flow over hard, impermeable rocks and pick up very little calcium or magnesium.

Yes. Preston 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. You can also report leaks via Twitter (@unitedutilities) or the "report a leak" section of unitedutilities.com.

Useful Preston Water Guides

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

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