Why is my water bill so high?

Our prices are updated on 1 April every year to invest in the things you’ve told us matter most. This may be why your water bill seems too high but there may be another reason, like a change at home or a hidden leak.

Do you have a water meter?

Yes I have a meter

No I don't have a meter

I'm not sure

Were you billed for a longer period than usual?

This might be the reason your bill is higher than your last. You will usually be billed annually, covering a 12-month period, but sometimes bills may cover a shorter period (i.e. 3 months). You can check this, on your bill.

Was there credit on your account?

If your account was previously in credit, this might have reduced the amount you needed to pay last time and now you need to pay the full amount to avoid building up debt. Setting up a Direct Debit is the easiest way to pay the right amount each month.

Screenshot of a bill highlighting the billing period

Have you checked your billing period?

I've checked my billing period

This answered my question

Your bill may have been estimated

We read our meters wirelessly twice a year. If we haven’t been able to get a reading from your meter, we’ll send you a bill based on an estimate.

How can I tell if my bill is estimated?

We’ll let you know in the first paragraph of your bill whether it’s based on an estimate.

Screenshot of a bill highlighting where it says if a bill was estimated

Was your current or previous water bill estimated?

My water bill was estimated

My water bill was not estimated

My water bill was estimated

If we couldn’t read your meter, your bill may be based on an estimate. To make sure it reflects your actual water use, you can take a reading yourself and send it to us online.

We’ve included simple steps below to help you find and read your meter. Or, if you prefer, contact us and share your reading directly.

Tell us your meter reading

Take a reading yourself and send it to us online, it should only take a few minutes.

Submit a meter reading

How to find and read your meter

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Where to find your water meter

Most meters are in the public footpath outside your house or in the front garden. Sometimes, your water meter will be located inside the house next to the stop tap. In a flat or apartment, your water meter may be in a cabinet in the building, marked with your door number.

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Lift the cover

You meter is usually in a small chamber under a metal or plastic cover. Sometimes it will be covered with a large cast iron cover, in this case we advise you not to lift it. Underneath the cover you may see a polystyrene plug. You'll need to remove this to access the meter.

A person taking several water meter readings

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Note the black numbers

On the meter face, there are two sets of numbers, black on the left and red on the right. The black numbers show the number of cubic metres used, while the red ones and the dials show litres. When you're taking the reading, you should only read the black numbers and ignore the red ones.

An older person holds a mobile phone up to their ear

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If the meter number seems high

If your meter reading is unusually high you may have a leak on your supply pipe. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to check for a leak.

How to find and fix leaks in your house

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When you've finished

Remember to replace the polystyrene plug before putting the cover back on the water meter chamber. It helps to protect your meter against frost and debris.

Get in touch

Chat to us

Let our digital assistant or team members help you with your account, issues with your water supply or drains or exploring our website.

Start chat

An illustrated outline of two bank cards

Billing and account enquiries

If you have any billing and account enquiries, you can get in touch on this number. Calls are charged at local rates Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Call: 0330 303 0277

Has something changed at home?

Most customers who get in touch about a high bill find that their water use has gone up, often without realising.

Let’s walk through a few quick questions to help you spot any changes that may have caused a high water bill. Don’t forget to check the billing period — some of that extra usage might have happened a little while ago.

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Has someone new moved in?

Or have you had a baby? Even temporary guests, like children home from university, can increase water use more than you might expect.

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Been decorating recently?

Home renovations and even basic decorating use a lot more water than we might realise. Think back to any recent work at home.

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Had work done outside?

Laying grass, installing a hot tub or even gardening work can all increase your water use.

Tips to save water outside

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Bought something new that uses water?

Hot tubs, paddling pools and sprinklers are big water users. If you’ve got one recently, it could explain your unusually high bill.

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Installed new appliances?

Some washing machines and dishwashers use water more efficiently than others. If you’ve upgraded, check the settings — each load might be using more than before.

close up of a laptop with someone working from home

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Spending more time at home?

More time at home means more flushes, hand washes and hot brews. A single toilet flush uses around 6 litres, so it can add up fast.

Tips to save water at home

photo of a persons legs jet washing paving slabs

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Been jet washing your patio or car?

Jet washers use high-pressure water, so it’s easy to use a lot without noticing. If you’ve recently used one, it could be a reason why your bill has increased.

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Left a tap or hose running?

A dripping tap can waste over 12,000 litres of water a year—just one drip per second adds up fast! If it’s been left on by accident, that could lead to a higher bill.

Water-saving tips

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Moved to a new home?

If your new house is bigger or less water-efficient, you may naturally use more water. Your estimated bill could also be higher if the people who lived there before used more water.

Could you have a leak?

Leaks aren’t always easy to spot. There’s not always an obvious sign such as a damp patch or water bubbling up out of the ground in your garden.

Do you have a dripping tap?

Dripping taps aren't just an inconvenience, they can waste a lot of water. Follow a few simple steps to fix a dripping tap.

Do you need help finding a plumber?

Whether you need a plumber for slab leaks, faulty taps, or issues underground, we can help you find an approved plumber in your area.

How to find and fix leaks in your home

Learn where your pipes and water meter are located, as well as who is responsible for fixing leaks outside.

Find and fix leaks at home

Why is my bill going up?

We know a price rise is never welcome, especially alongside other cost of living increases, however, to deliver the things you’ve told us matter most and keep up with inflation and rising costs, we now need to increase bills.

Why is my bill going up?