Canterbury Water Supplier

Canterbury's drinking water is supplied by South East Water, one of the main water-only companies in England, serving around 2.2 million customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. South East Water is responsible for treating and delivering clean water to your taps, while Southern Water handles sewerage and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal for the Canterbury area.

Water supply in the UK is a regional monopoly - you cannot switch water supplier the way you can with energy. If you have just moved into Canterbury, you simply need to register your details with South East Water so your account is opened and your bill is issued in your name. For sewerage, Southern Water will set up your account automatically based on council tax records.

South East Water and Southern Water contact details for Canterbury
Service Phone Hours
Water supply (South East Water)0333 000 0001Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 8am–1pm
Sewerage & wastewater (Southern Water)0330 303 0368Mon–Fri 7am–9pm, Sat–Sun 7:30am–10:30pm

Calls to 0333 and 0330 numbers may be charged at local rates by your phone company and are usually included in inclusive minute bundles.

Where does Canterbury's water come from? South East Water draws supply from a combination of underground boreholes, reservoirs and river sources across Kent and the wider South East. The chalk and clay geology of the Canterbury area is the primary reason the local water is classified as hard.

For a full list of phone numbers, complaints procedures and alternative contact channels, see our dedicated South East Water contact page. For sewerage queries, visit our Southern Water contact number page.

Water Rates in Canterbury

Water rates in Canterbury depend on whether your property is metered or non-metered. The average annual water bill for Canterbury residents is approximately £418, combining both South East Water supply charges and Southern Water sewerage costs.

Homes with a water meter will have a meter number listed on their water bill. Metered customers pay for the exact volume of water they use, measured in cubic metres (m³) from regular meter readings. If you live alone or in a small household, a metered tariff can often work out significantly cheaper than the rateable-value charge.

Non-metered properties are billed according to rateable values determined by the local council in the 1990s. These values have probably not changed much since then and are reviewed only periodically. If you've just moved in or you don't have a bill available, you can check around the outside of your house for a meter - sometimes the meter may also be located inside your house near the stop tap.

Rateable values take into account the size of the property, its location and access to local services. You can request a free meter installation from South East Water if you believe it would reduce your bill - there is no charge for the installation itself.

Struggling to pay your water bill? South East Water offers several support schemes including the WaterSure tariff for metered households that use a lot of water for medical reasons or because of a large family, plus social tariffs and flexible payment plans. Call 0333 000 0001 to discuss your options. See our average UK water bill guide for more context on typical costs.

Canterbury Water Hardness

Canterbury water hardness is rated as hard. Due to the way water filters through rocks in South East Water's supply area, Canterbury water picks up dissolved minerals - mainly calcium and magnesium - on its journey to your tap. You can check your exact hardness level using our water hardness by area guide.

Hard water in Canterbury means residents are likely to see limescale buildup in kettles, pipes, washing machines, dishwashers, boilers and on taps. Over time, scale can reduce the efficiency of heating elements, shorten appliance lifespan and leave a chalky white residue on surfaces throughout the home.

Tips for Managing Hard Water in Canterbury

  • Baths, sinks and toilets - use an acidic sanitiser or descaler regularly (available in local shops) to clear limescale deposits from bathroom and kitchen surfaces.
  • Kettles - do not overfill your kettle. Half-fill with water and add around two tablespoons of white vinegar, leave to stand for up to four hours to loosen scale, then rinse thoroughly before use.
  • Dishwashers - take advantage of the built-in water softener and make sure you regularly top up the dishwasher salt reservoir in the appropriate compartment.
  • Consider fitting a whole-house water softener or a magnetic scale inhibitor on the incoming mains if limescale is a persistent problem in your home.

Can You Drink Canterbury Water?

Yes - you can drink the water in Canterbury straight from the tap. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has scored Canterbury's water quality 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, meaning your water is completely safe to drink. It is not necessary to boil or filter Canterbury water to make it potable.

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

  1. Chlorination - a safe way to ensure hygiene throughout the pipe network, which can sometimes be noticeable after maintenance work.
  2. Seasonal changes - water drawn from different sources at different times of year can infuse the water with a slightly earthy smell or taste.
  3. Plumbing materials - old copper, lead or rubber components in household plumbing can contribute metallic, salty or rubbery hints to the taste.

Running the cold tap for a minute before drinking usually clears any short-term taste issue. You should not hesitate to contact South East Water if you have any concerns about changes in the quality of your water.

Reporting Water Problems in Canterbury

Canterbury water problems can include anything from burst water mains or flooding to having no water in your home. If you notice a leak, burst pipe, flooding, loss of supply or discoloured water in Canterbury, you can contact South East Water directly. You do not need to be the account holder to report a problem - anyone can call or report online.

No Water in Your Canterbury Home

If you suddenly have no water at your property, work through these steps before calling South East Water:

  1. Ask your neighbours whether they also have no water - if they do, the outage is on the network and South East Water will already be aware.
  2. Check that your internal stop tap is fully open - this can sometimes be accidentally knocked into the off position.
  3. Check the "In Your Area" section on the South East Water website for any known outages or incidents near your postcode.
  4. Work out whether you have lost both cold and hot water, or only one. If you have cold water but no hot water, the issue is with your home plumbing or boiler, not the water company.

If your cold water is completely unavailable after these checks, contact South East Water on 0333 000 0001 so they can investigate.

Water Discolouration in Canterbury

Discoloured water in Canterbury is usually the result of a recently repaired burst pipe, South East Water carrying out upgrade work on the local mains, or sediment disturbed during repairs. Water discolouration is not harmful and can often be cleared by running the cold water tap for a few minutes until it becomes clear.

If the discolouration persists after running the tap, contact South East Water for assistance.

Reporting Leaks and Flooding

If you notice a water leak or flooding outside your Canterbury property, you can report it to South East Water through any of the following channels:

  • Phone - call South East Water on 0333 000 0001
  • Website - use the "Report a Leak" section on the South East Water website

For wastewater emergencies - sewer flooding, blocked drains on the public network or foul smells - call Southern Water on 0330 303 0368. Southern Water operates a 24/7 line for emergencies.

Canterbury Water FAQ

Fresh drinking water in Canterbury is supplied by South East Water, while sewerage and wastewater services are handled by Southern Water. You cannot switch water supplier in the UK - it is a regional monopoly.

The average annual water bill in Canterbury is approximately £418, combining both water supply and sewerage charges. The exact amount depends on whether your property is metered or billed on rateable value.

Canterbury has hard water. The supply filters through rock in the South East, picking up calcium and magnesium minerals that cause limescale buildup in kettles, pipes and appliances.

Yes. Canterbury tap water meets the high standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and scored 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, meaning it is safe to drink straight from the tap without boiling or filtering.

Call South East Water on 0333 000 0001. You can also report leaks via the Report a Leak section on the South East Water website. For sewer flooding, call Southern Water on 0330 303 0368.

Useful Canterbury Water Guides

Our related guides cover South East Water and Southern Water in more depth and explain how UK water bills, meters and complaints procedures work.