Water bills could increase to £2000, here's how to save

Powys County Times

11-05-2025

Water bills have been forecast to reach £2,000 a year by 2050, as regulator Ofwat has warned that customers in England and Wales will bear the cost of urgent investment in water infrastructure and river clean-up projects.
While these upgrades are vital, the financial burden will fall on already stretched households.
But according to Matthew Sheeran, money-saving expert at Money Wellness, there are practical ways to save hundreds of pounds a year right now, especially if you're on a low income or struggling with the rising cost of living.
'Water is essential, but that doesn't mean your bill has to break the bank,' he says.
'Many people don't realise help is available, especially if you're on a low income or benefits. Social tariffs can knock hundreds off your bill, and simple water-saving tips can make a real difference too. With prices set to rise, now's the time to act. A five-minute phone call to your water company could be the easiest money you save all year.'
Here are Matthew's suggestions for reducing your water bills before the big hikes kick in.
1. Apply for a social tariff – it could slash your bill by up to 90%
'One of the biggest savings you can make, and one that too many people miss out on, is through your water company's social tariff,' explains Sheeran.
Every water company in England and Wales offers a social tariff scheme that provides heavily discounted bills for customers who are on a low income or receiving means-tested benefits. Some schemes reduce bills by as much as 90%, depending on your circumstances. You might qualify if your household income is under a certain threshold (usually between £20,000 and £25,000), if you claim benefits like Universal Credit, Income Support or Pension Credit, or if you have high essential water use due to a medical condition or large family.
To apply, visit your water company's website or call their customer service line. You'll usually need to provide some basic information about your income and household situation. Some companies also offer hardship funds or payment matching schemes to help you clear arrears if you've fallen behind on your bill.
There's a full guide to all the social tariffs here.
2. Switch to a water meter and only pay for what you use
'If you're not on a water meter, you might be paying for more water than you actually use,' says Matthew. 'In some cases, switching could save you over £100 a year and it's usually free to do.'
Water meters are especially beneficial for smaller households or people who live alone, where water usage is generally lower than the rateable value of the property. Once a meter is installed, you're only charged for the water you actually use, rather than an estimated amount based on your home's size or past usage.
Most water companies will install a meter for free if you request one, and there's often a two-year trial period where you can switch back if it doesn't save you money. To find out whether a meter would work for you, try your water provider's online calculator.
3. Fix dripping taps and leaking toilets – small leaks, big bills
'A dripping tap might not seem like a big deal, but it can waste thousands of litres of water a year, and if you're on a meter, that's money down the drain,' he warns.
A single dripping tap can waste more than 5,000 litres of water per year, and a leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres a day. That's equivalent to over £300 a year in wasted water if you're on a meter. Regularly checking your taps, pipes and toilets for leaks and fixing them promptly is one of the simplest and most effective ways to bring your bill down.
Some water companies offer free leak detection or subsidised repairs. If you're renting, your landlord is usually responsible for fixing leaks, so it's worth reporting any issues straight away.
4. Use free water-saving gadgets to reduce usage effortlessly
'A lot of people don't realise they can get free water-saving gadgets from their provider, and they're a great way to cut back without changing your routine,' he says.
Many water companies offer free water-saving devices that are easy to install and can make a noticeable dent in your water usage. These include shower timers to help limit water use to four minutes, cistern displacement bags that reduce the volume used in each toilet flush and tap inserts that maintain water pressure while using less water.
Using just a few of these devices could save the average household tens of thousands of litres of water per year, translating into significant savings, especially when combined with an energy-saving mindset around hot water use.
5. Shorten your showers and run full loads only
'Small daily changes like taking shorter showers or waiting until the washing machine is full really do add up over the course of a year,' says Matthew.
Cutting your shower time from 10 minutes to 5 minutes can save an average household around £70 a year on combined water and energy bills. The less hot water you use, the less energy you use heating it, so you're saving on two fronts.
Running dishwashers and washing machines only when they're full helps make the most of every drop of water. Try to avoid half-loads unless your machine has a specific eco-setting and check the energy label to see how efficient your appliances are. Even better, use eco-cycles when available to further reduce both water and electricity usage.
6. Get the whole household involved – every drop counts
'One person saving water is good, but when the whole family gets on board, the savings multiply,' he adds.
Encouraging everyone in your home to adopt water-saving habits can make a big difference, especially in larger households. Talk to your children about turning the tap off while brushing their teeth, challenge your partner to beat the four-minute shower timer, and make sure everyone understands which habits waste the most water.
You could even put up reminders in the kitchen and bathroom to keep water awareness top of mind. By making water saving a shared effort, you'll not only reduce your bill but also help future-proof the UK's water supply, something we'll all benefit from as pressure on resources grows.
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7. Seek free debt help if you're struggling to keep up
Money Wellness, a free debt and money help organisation, has seen a 24.4% rise in water expenditure among the households it supports over the past year, with 23% of customers behind on payments to their water company.
That's nearly one in four people struggling to stay afloat.
'Water bills are just one piece of the puzzle, and for many households, they're becoming harder to manage,' says Matthew. 'If you're falling behind or feeling overwhelmed, don't wait to get help.'
If you're worried about mounting costs, you are not alone and there's no shame in asking for help. The sooner you speak to someone, the more options you're likely to have.