Stoke-on-Trent Water Supplier

Stoke-on-Trent water is supplied by Severn Trent Water, which serves around 8 million people across the Midlands and parts of Wales. As with all of England and Wales, water is a regional monopoly and you cannot choose your supplier — if you live in Stoke-on-Trent, Severn Trent Water is your water company.

If you have recently moved to Stoke-on-Trent, you do not need to sign up for water in the same way as with an energy supplier. Simply contact Severn Trent Water to register your details so the account is opened in your name. For a full overview of the company, see our Severn Trent Water supplier guide.

Stoke-on-Trent Water Supplier Contact

Calling Severn Trent Water is one of many options available to get in touch with your Stoke-on-Trent water supplier. Regardless of your query, there is one main number to use for billing and account issues, and a separate emergency line available around the clock.

Severn Trent Water contact details for Stoke-on-Trent
Severn Trent Water Team Phone Number Opening Times
Bill Queries0345 750 0500Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–6pm
Water Supply & Sewerage Emergencies0800 783 444424/7

Source: Severn Trent Water published customer contact numbers. Calls to 0345 numbers are charged at a standard landline rate.

For the full list of phone lines, complaints procedures and alternative contact channels, see our dedicated Severn Trent Water contact number guide.

Stoke-on-Trent Sewerage Contact

Sewerage and wastewater treatment in Stoke-on-Trent are handled by the same company as the water supply. If you have any queries or issues regarding wastewater or sewerage, contact Severn Trent Water on the emergency number above — 0800 783 4444 — which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Where does Stoke-on-Trent water come from? One-third of Stoke-on-Trent's water comes from groundwater. The remaining two-thirds come from rivers and reservoirs, with most sourced from upland regions like the Peak District. These sources directly influence the hardness of the local water supply.

Stoke-on-Trent Water Hardness

Water hardness refers to the concentration of dissolved minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium — found in the water supply. The more minerals present, the harder the water is considered to be. Rainwater starts out naturally soft, but picks up minerals as it filters through the ground during the water cycle.

Stoke-on-Trent water hardness is measured at 314 PPM (parts per million), giving it an extremely hard rating. This is significantly harder than the national average and is a direct result of the local geology through which the groundwater travels. For more detail on how hardness is measured across the country, see our water hardness area guide.

Extremely hard water means that Stoke-on-Trent households will notice more limescale buildup in kettles, boilers, dishwashers and on bathroom fixtures compared to areas with softer water. Over time, this scale can reduce the efficiency of heating elements and shorten the lifespan of appliances.

How to Reduce Limescale in Stoke-on-Trent

Because Stoke-on-Trent has extremely hard water, limescale management is important. Here are practical tips to keep scaling under control in your home:

  • Sinks, baths and toilets — Use an acidic sanitiser regularly to clear limescale deposits from susceptible surfaces. These are widely available in local shops.
  • Kettles — Avoid filling your kettle to the top. To remove scale buildup, half-fill the kettle and add two tablespoons of white vinegar, then leave for four hours. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary.
  • Dishwashers — Top off the water softener compartment with salt occasionally and use the softener setting when running wash cycles.
Consider a water softener. If limescale is a persistent problem, installing a whole-house water softener can significantly reduce mineral buildup and protect your appliances. Speak to a local plumber for advice on systems suited to Stoke-on-Trent's extremely hard water.

Is Stoke-on-Trent Water Safe to Drink?

Yes — Stoke-on-Trent tap water is safe to drink. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has rated Stoke-on-Trent water at 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, confirming that it meets the high regulatory standards required for potable water. There is no need to boil or filter tap water in Stoke-on-Trent before drinking.

Although the water is extremely hard, hardness does not affect safety — it is an aesthetic and practical concern (limescale, taste) rather than a health risk. In fact, the calcium and magnesium in hard water contribute small amounts of essential minerals to your diet.

If you notice a change in the taste, smell or appearance of your Stoke-on-Trent tap water, the most common causes are:

  1. Seasonal changes — Variations in source water during different times of year can produce an earthy smell or taste.
  2. Chlorination — Severn Trent Water adds chlorine to maintain hygiene across the pipe network. This can sometimes be noticeable, especially after treatment adjustments.
  3. Household plumbing — Old or poorly maintained pipes can add a metallic, rubbery or salty taste to the water.

Running the cold tap for a minute before drinking usually clears any short-term issue. If the problem persists, do not hesitate to contact Severn Trent Water so they can investigate the supply.

Water Rates in Stoke-on-Trent

Water rates in Stoke-on-Trent depend on whether your property has a water meter or is billed on its rateable value. The Stoke-on-Trent water supplier indicates that the average annual water bill for the city is approximately £369, combining both sewerage and water supply costs.

You can tell whether your Stoke-on-Trent water rates are metered or not by checking your bill. Metered properties show a meter serial number, while non-metered homes display a rateable value set by the local council. For more on how water billing works across the UK, see our water meter guide.

Non-metered properties are billed according to their rateable value, which was set by local authorities in the 1990s and feeds into the annual charge. If your home was built after 1990, it will almost certainly have a water meter installed from the start.

Metered customers pay based on actual water usage, measured in cubic metres. If you live alone or in a small household, a water meter can often work out cheaper than the rateable-value charge. Severn Trent Water installs meters free of charge on request. For a broader look at how bills compare nationally, see our average water bill UK guide.

How to Pay for Water in Stoke-on-Trent

You will first need to register an account with Severn Trent Water. Once your account is set up, you can choose from the following payment methods:

  • Direct Debit — the most common option, spreading the cost evenly across the year
  • Standing order — a fixed regular payment from your bank account
  • At your bank — pay in person at a participating bank or building society
Struggling to pay? Severn Trent Water offers several support schemes for customers in financial difficulty, including the Big Difference Scheme (reduced tariff), WaterSure for low-income metered households, and flexible payment plans. Call 0345 750 0500 to check your eligibility.

Problems with Water in Stoke-on-Trent

Problems with the water in Stoke-on-Trent can include flooding, a burst water main, or having no water at your property. It is important to know who to call and how to act when facing water emergencies. Severn Trent Water runs a 24/7 emergency line on 0800 783 4444 for all supply and sewerage issues.

How to Report a Leak or Flooding

If you notice a water leak or flooding outside your Stoke-on-Trent home, you can report it through any of the following channels:

  • Phone — Call or contact Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444, regardless of whether the issue relates to water supply or wastewater
  • Online — Go to the "report a leak" section on the Severn Trent Water website and fill out the form

No Water in Stoke-on-Trent

If your home has no water, you need to determine whether the issue is with your private plumbing or a Severn Trent Water outage. Follow these steps:

  1. Verify that your stop tap is fully open (usually under the kitchen sink).
  2. Ask your neighbours whether they also have a water issue.
  3. Check the "In Your Area" section of the Severn Trent Water website for any information on water cuts near you.

If there is no water at your home, check whether it is only cold water or hot water as well. If there is cold water but no hot water, the problem is likely with your property's boiler or plumbing, not with the Stoke-on-Trent water supply. If cold water is completely unavailable, contact Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444 for assistance.

Business Water Supply in Stoke-on-Trent

Unlike residential properties, businesses in Stoke-on-Trent — no matter how big or small — can choose their water supplier. The business water market was deregulated in England in 2017, meaning commercial customers can compare prices and switch to an alternative retailer for potential savings on water bills.

Water Plus is one of the competitors in the Stoke-on-Trent area that offers businesses an alternative to Severn Trent Water. However, it is worth noting that Water Plus has received mixed reviews from past customers, so take the time to compare several providers before switching.

Even if you switch your retail water supplier, the physical water supply and sewerage infrastructure remain the responsibility of Severn Trent Water. This means water quality, pressure and emergency response are unaffected by which retailer you choose.

Stoke-on-Trent Water FAQ

Water and sewerage services in Stoke-on-Trent are supplied by Severn Trent Water. Residential customers cannot switch water supplier in England and Wales.

Stoke-on-Trent has extremely hard water, measured at 314 PPM (parts per million). This is due to groundwater picking up calcium and magnesium as it filters through the local geology.

The average annual water bill in Stoke-on-Trent is approximately £369, combining both water supply and sewerage charges. The exact amount depends on whether your property is metered or billed on rateable value.

Yes. Stoke-on-Trent tap water scored 99.96% in overall mean zonal compliance, as rated by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate. It is safe to drink straight from the tap without boiling or filtering.

Call Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also report leaks via the “report a leak” section on the Severn Trent Water website.

Useful Stoke-on-Trent Water Guides

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