How we calculate your bill
Here you'll find information about our charges for the year 2022-23 (1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023) and 2023-24 (1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024).
How we calculate your bill
We recognise it’s not always easy to get your head around how any utility company works out what you owe. It can be complicated. Here, you’ll find a simpler breakdown of our charges for water, wastewater (that’s all the dirty water we take away from your homes and properties) and sometimes other services.
How charges are worked out
Water regulator Ofwat sets a ceiling on the amount of money any water company can make. Within this context, we review our charges every year and have these approved by our non-executive board as part of our governance process.
We charge you based on your meter reading, which tells us how much water you’ve used and dirty water we’ll need to take away (most of you have a meter these days).
Take a look at how much water the average household uses to get an idea of what to expect from your bill.
Charges for metered properties
Service | Annual standing charge 22/23* | Charge £ per cubic metre 22/23 | Annual standing charge 23/24* | Charge £ per cubic metre 23/24 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Water supply | £18.81 | £1.550 | £20.96 | £1.716 |
Wastewater | £21.11 | £1.976 | £24.21 | £2.176 |
Surface water drainage | £20.88** | £23.00** | ||
Highway drainage | £10.44 | £11.50 |
22/23 - Charges for the year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2022.
23/24 - Charges for the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
* For normal domestic meters
** In certain circumstances a surface water rebate is available.
Other charging methods
When you don’t have a water meter (you can apply for a water meter), you’ll be charged in one of the following ways:
- Assessed bills: based on the number of bedrooms at your property, or whether someone is a sole occupant. See table below
- Unmetered bills: based on the rateable value of your home, as set at 31 March 1990 (this measure is set by a branch of the government and is broadly based on how much your property would fetch in rent over the period of a year). See table below
- A fixed annual fee: if your home doesn't have a rateable value and you're not on an assessed charge.
Charges for assessed properties
Number of bedrooms | Water charges for year 22/23 | Sewerage charges for year 22/23* | Water charges for year 23/24 | Sewerage charges for year 23/24** |
---|---|---|---|---|
Single occupier | £114.37 | £164.87 | £126.93 | £182.49 |
1 bedroom | £145.36 | £200.44 | £161.25 | £221.66 |
2 bedrooms | £176.36 | £237.99 | £195.57 | £263.00 |
3 bedrooms | £199.60 | £265.66 | £221.31 | £293.47 |
4 bedrooms | £207.35 | £273.57 | £229.89 | £302.17 |
5 bedrooms | £218.20 | £287.40 | £241.90 | £317.40 |
* If you receive a surface water rebate deduct £20.88
** If you receive a surface water rebate deduct £23.00
Charges for unmetered properties
Service | Annual standing charge 22/23 | Charge per £ of rateable value 22/23 | Minimum charge 22/23 | Annual standing charge 23/24 | Charge per £ of rateable value 23/24 | Minimum charge 23/24 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Water supply | £15.20 | £0.973 | £75.63 | £17.11 | £1.078 | £84.04 |
Wastewater | £16.96 | £1.195 | £101.64 | £19.61 | £1.316 | £112.87 |
Surface water drainage | £20.88** | £23.00** | ||||
Highway drainage | £10.44 | £11.50 |
* In certain circumstances a surface water rebate is available.
Further information on our charge schemes
Charges schemes for all Southern Water household customers
2023-24:
Household Charges Scheme 2023-24
Retail Charges Assurance Statement 2023-24
2022-23:
Household Charges Scheme 2022-23
Retail Charges Assurance Statement 2022-23
2021-22:
Household Charges Scheme 2021–22
Retail Charges Assurance Statement
2020–21:
Household Charges Scheme 2020–21
Retail Charges Assurance Statement
If you're a South East Water customer and have a water meter, find out how we calculate your sewerage charges.
2023-24:
Charges Guide for South East Water customers 2023-24
2022-23:
Charges Guide for South East Water customers 2022-23
2021-22:
Charges guide for South East Water customers 2021–22
2020–21:
Charges guide for South East Water customers 2020–21
South East Water metering charges guide 2020–21
I have a question about my bill that isn’t covered here
If you receive your water from a separate company, find out about our wastewater charges.
Our charges update each year on 1 April – if your billing period spans two charging amounts, we'll calculate your bill accordingly.
Has your bill gone up?