Switching to a Water Meter
If you are worried that you are paying too much for your water bills, unfortunately there is not the option to switch suppliers.
You can however switch to a water meter which could save you money as you will only then be charged for the water you actually use.
Most households are entitled to have a meter fitted and your water company will not charge you for this. For information about getting a water meter fitted then contact your water company. You can find a link to your company with contact details here.
Compulsory Metering
Companies can compulsorily meter existing household customers when there is a change of occupier. For example, when customers move house or where a property has been split to create several separate new dwellings with completely new occupiers.
Other circumstances where a meter may be compulsory include, when customers:
- Water their garden using non hand-held apparatus, such as sprinklers.
- Have a bath, spa or Jacuzzi with a capacity of more than 230 litres.
- Have a water treatment unit that incorporates reverse osmosis.
- Lives in an area of water scarcity as determined by the Secretary of State.
- Have a pond or swimming pool with a capacity of more than 10,000 litres that is automatically replenished.
Average Metered and Unmetered Bills
| Average Household Bills 2005-2006 | |||
| Average Unmetered | Average Metered | ||
| Water | Sewerage | Water | Sewerage |
| £141 | £149 | £116 | £132 |
| Total = £289 | Total = £248 | ||
- Bills are estimates based respectively on provisional and forecast data provided by each company.
- To calculate the total average bill add the average water and sewerage bill together. Your sewerage service may be provided by a different company to your water supply.
Source: Ofwat
