Help with water bills: WaterSure and social tariffs

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

If your water bill is a struggle, there are three main things to check: your water company's social tariff for low-income households, the WaterSure scheme, which caps metered bills for people on benefits who need to use a lot of water, and whether a water meter would cost you less.

How water help works

The schemes described here were checked at the time of writing (November 2026). You cannot switch water company the way you can switch energy supplier, so the help available depends on which company supplies your area. In England and Wales, every company must offer WaterSure, and every company also has its own social tariff. The rules, names and discounts differ from company to company.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW), the official consumer body for England and Wales, keeps a company-by-company guide on its help with bills page.

Social tariffs

A social tariff is a reduced bill for customers on a low income. CCW says every water company in England and Wales has one. Some cap the bill at a fixed yearly amount; others take a percentage off. The eligibility test varies: some companies look at household income, while others ask whether you receive a benefit such as Pension Credit.

Because the schemes differ so much, the only reliable way to find out is to ask. Phone the number on your water bill and say you would like to apply for the company's social tariff, or look for "help paying your bill" on its website. If you think you might be entitled to Pension Credit, claim that first, as it is often the passport to the reduced tariff.

WaterSure

WaterSure is a national scheme in England that caps your bill, so that you are not penalised for unavoidable high water use. Under it, you pay no more than the average metered bill for your water company's area. If your actual metered bill is lower than the cap, you just pay for what you use.

Who qualifies

According to Citizens Advice, you need to meet all three of these:

You have a water meter (or are waiting for one to be fitted, or pay an "assessed charge" because a meter cannot be fitted).
You or someone in your household gets a qualifying benefit. These include Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Some companies accept certain disability benefits too.
You need to use a lot of water, either because someone in the household has a medical condition that requires it, or because three or more children under 19 in full-time education live there.

Medical conditions that qualify include incontinence, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an abdominal stoma, weeping or flaky skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, and kidney failure needing dialysis at home (unless the NHS already contributes to your water costs). Other conditions can count if a doctor confirms they mean you use significantly more water.

High use from a garden hose or sprinkler, or from filling a large pond or pool, does not count.

How to apply

Ask your water company for its WaterSure form. You will need evidence of your benefit and, for a medical condition, evidence from your doctor. Check what your company accepts before paying for a doctor's letter: some accept a GP's stamp on the form. You may need to confirm each year that you still qualify. See the Citizens Advice guide to WaterSure.

In Wales, customers of Welsh Water are covered by WaterSure Wales, which works in a similar way.

Would a water meter save you money?

Without a meter, your bill is based on your home, not on how much water you use. With a meter, you pay for what comes through the tap. As a general rule, people living alone or as a couple in a larger home are among those most likely to pay less with a meter. CCW has a free water meter calculator on its website to help you estimate, and says some households cut their bills by hundreds of pounds.

If the company cannot fit a meter at your property, ask about an assessed charge, which may be lower than your current bill. Before you ask for a meter, find out from your company whether you can switch back if it does not work out, and for how long.

Tip: Living alone after a bereavement? Tell your water company. Some companies offer a lower charge for single occupiers who cannot have a meter, and a meter itself often makes sense for one person.

If you are behind with your bill

Contact your water company as soon as you can. CCW lists several kinds of help that companies offer:

Payment breaks – a temporary pause or reduction in your payments.
Debt support schemes – these can reduce what you owe if you keep to an agreed payment plan.
Hardship funds – grants to help with water debt or other financial difficulties.
Water Direct – for people already in arrears, payments are taken straight from certain benefits.

Your water company also runs a free Priority Services Register for customers who need extra support. For free, independent help with debts of any kind, speak to Citizens Advice or use the debt advice finder at MoneyHelper.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Water is organised differently outside England and Wales. In Scotland, most households pay for water and sewerage alongside their Council Tax, so help with those charges is tied to your Council Tax circumstances; ask your council what reductions apply to you, and see our Council Tax Reduction guide. In Northern Ireland, check with NI Water or nidirect for the current position on domestic charges.

Common reasons people miss out

Not knowing the schemes exist. They are rarely mentioned on the bill itself.
Assuming a medical condition "does not count". Extra laundry and bathing because of incontinence or a skin condition is exactly what WaterSure is for.
Not having a meter. WaterSure applies to metered customers; you can ask for a meter in order to qualify.
Not claiming the benefit that opens the door. Pension Credit is on every company's WaterSure list.
Waiting until there is a debt. Social tariffs are there to prevent arrears, so apply early.

Common questions

Can I have both WaterSure and a social tariff?

Normally you are placed on one or the other. Ask your company to work out which leaves you with the lower bill.

Is there a water discount just for being over 60?

No. Help is based on income, benefits or medical need rather than age. Our benefits checklist lists the other bill help to check.

Who can I complain to if my water company will not help?

Complain to the company first. If you are in England or Wales and are not satisfied with the reply, CCW can take up your complaint free of charge.