How we calculate your bill

Here you'll find information about our charges for the year 2024-25 (1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025) and 2025-26 (1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026).

Our household customers’ bills have now increased for the financial year 2025–26.

From April 2025 the average household bill for combined water and wastewater will rise by 46.7%, from £1.31 per day to £1.93 per day. For the average household, fresh water only bills will go up by 40.0% from £0.55 per day to £0.77 per day and wastewater only bills by 51.5% from £0.76 per day to £1.15 per day.

Inflation and increased investment are the two key drivers of this increase. However, crucially, alongside this increase we're offering a wider range of support for customers, which includes payment holidays, discounts on bills of at least 45%, debt write-offs, access to a Hardship Fund, and even grants for household items

How we calculate your bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to get your head around how utility companies calculate your bills. It can be complicated. Here, you’ll find a simpler breakdown of our charges for water, wastewater (the dirty water we take away from your property) and sometimes other services.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what a company can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year by our Board as part of our governance process. They are also approved by Ofwat.

Other useful information

Why is my bill going up? Where your money goes I don't understand my bill Wastewater-only bills Spreading the cost of your bill Water saving tips to help reduce your bill

How charges are worked out

We usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away (most of our customers have meters). Take a look at how much water the average household uses to get an idea of what charges to expect from your water bill.

Select your bill type

Charges for properties with water meters

The table below, shows how we charge per cubic metre. One cubic metre is a thousand litres, this is about the amount you would use if you took 11 baths.

Service	Annual standing charge 24/25*	Annual standing charge 25/26*	Charge £ per cubic metre 24/25	Charge £ per cubic metre 25/26
Water supply	£23.96	£38.06	£1.958	£2.753
Wastewater	£27.76	£43.48	£2.461	£3.794
Surface water drainage	£25.98**	£40.88**
Highway drainage	£12.99	£20.44

24/25 – Charges for the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
25/26 – Charges for the year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

* For normal domestic meters
** In certain circumstances a surface water rebate is available.

Charges for assessed properties

If you are billed on an Assessed charge, the amount is based on the number of bedrooms at the property, unless you live alone, then there is a Single Occupier charge. The table below shows our charges for assessed properties.

Number of bedrooms	Water charges for year 24/25	Water charges for year 25/26	Sewerage charges for year 24/25*	Sewerage charges for year 25/26**
Single occupier	£144.77	£210.40	£206.42	£324.11
1 bedroom	£183.93	£265.46	£250.72	£392.42
2 bedrooms	£223.09	£320.52	£297.48	£464.52
3 bedrooms	£252.46	£361.82	£331.94	£517.65
4 bedrooms	£262.25	£375.58	£341.78	£532.83
5 bedrooms	£275.95	£394.85	£359.01	£559.40

* If you receive a surface water rebate deduct £25.98
** If you receive a surface water rebate deduct £40.88

Charges for unmetered properties

If your property is billed on unmetered charges this is based on the Rateable Value of your home. Before April 1990, every property in England and Wales was given a rateable value. This was based on how much the property could be let for.

Service	Annual standing charge 24/25	Annual standing charge 25/26	Charge per £ of rateable value 24/25	Charge per £ of rateable value 25/26	Minimum charge 24/25	Minimum charge 25/26
Water supply	£19.46	£34.21	£1.230	£1.729	£95.82	£141.59
Wastewater	£22.26	£38.88	£1.488	£2.300	£127.69	£202.64
Surface water drainage	£25.98*	£40.88*
Highway drainage	£12.99	£20.44

* In certain circumstances a surface water rebate is available.

Further information about charges

Below, you'll be able to view or download our full charging schemes for all Southern Water household customers. This includes information on water bill reductions for single occupancy.

If you're a South East Water customer and have a water meter, you'll also find guides below on how we calculate your sewerage charges.

Or, if you receive your water from a separate company, find out about our wastewater charges.

How we calculate your bill

Our household customers’ bills have now increased for the financial year 2025–26.

How we calculate your bill

Other useful information

How charges are worked out

Charges for properties with water meters

Charges for assessed properties

Charges for unmetered properties

What if I can't pay my bill?

Further information about charges

Further information on our charge schemes

2025-26

Household Charges Scheme 2025-26

2025-26

Retail Board Assurance Statement 2025-26

2024-25

Household Charges Scheme 2024-25

2024-25

Retail Charges Assurance Statement 2024 25

2023-24

Household Charges Scheme 2023-24

2023-24

Statement of Board Assurance Provided to the Water Services Regulation Authority – Charges 2023–24

2022 - 23

Household Charges Scheme 2022-23

2022 - 23

Retail Charges Assurance Statement 2022-23

2021 - 22

Household Charges Scheme 2021–22

2021 - 22

Retail Charges Assurance Statement 2021-22

2020 - 21

Household Charges Scheme 2020–21

2020 - 21

Retail Charges Assurance Statement 2020-21

Sewerage charges for South East Water customers

2025-26

Charges guide for South East Water companies 2025-26

2024-25

Charges Guide For South East Water Customers 2024 25

2023-24

Southern Water (South East Water) Charges Scheme 2023–24

2022 - 23

Southern Water (South East Water) Charges Scheme 2022–23

2021 - 22

Southern Water (South East Water) Charges Scheme 2021–22

2020 - 21

Southern Water (South East Water) Charges Scheme 2020–21

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