Who supplies your water?
Water companies are regional monopolies. Some supply both water and sewerage; in some areas a separate “water only” company supplies your water while a larger company handles sewerage, so you may get two bills.
| Company | Main area | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Anglian Water | East of England | Water & sewerage |
| Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water | Most of Wales and parts of bordering England | Water & sewerage |
| Hafren Dyfrdwy | Parts of mid and north-east Wales | Water & sewerage |
| Northumbrian Water | North East England | Water & sewerage |
| Essex & Suffolk Water | Parts of Essex and Suffolk | Water only |
| Severn Trent | Midlands | Water & sewerage |
| South West Water | Devon and Cornwall, plus Bournemouth and Bristol Water areas | Water & sewerage |
| Southern Water | Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight | Water & sewerage |
| Thames Water | London and the Thames Valley | Water & sewerage |
| United Utilities | North West England | Water & sewerage |
| Wessex Water | Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and around Bristol and Bath | Water & sewerage |
| Yorkshire Water | Yorkshire | Water & sewerage |
| Affinity Water | Parts of the South East and Home Counties | Water only |
| Cambridge Water | Cambridge area | Water only |
| Portsmouth Water | South-east Hampshire and West Sussex | Water only |
| SES Water | Parts of Surrey and Kent | Water only |
| South East Water | Parts of Kent and Sussex | Water only |
| South Staffs Water | Parts of Staffordshire and the West Midlands | Water only |
| Scottish Water | Scotland (household charges collected with council tax) | Water & sewerage |
| NI Water | Northern Ireland (households don’t pay a separate water bill) | Water & sewerage |
Not sure? Your water company is named on your bill, or you can check by postcode with Water UK or the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).
Water bills in 2026
Bills in England and Wales rose again from April 2026, as companies pay for investment in pipes, reservoirs and sewage treatment. Water UK forecast an average household rise of about £33 (5.4%), to around £639 a year, with big differences between companies.
Sources: MoneySavingExpert: water bills to rise from April.
Would a water meter save you money?
Without a meter you pay a fixed charge based on your home’s old “rateable value”. With a meter you pay for what you use. In England and Wales you can usually ask your water company to fit a meter for free. As a rule of thumb, a meter often saves money if there are fewer people in your home than bedrooms.
- If the meter doesn’t save you money, you can usually switch back to unmetered charges within a set period (typically 12 months).
- If a meter can’t be fitted, ask for an “assessed charge”, which can be lower.
- Use CCW’s water meter calculator before you decide.
Help if you can’t afford your water bill
- Social tariffs: every company in England and Wales has a scheme cutting bills for lower-income households. Rules and discounts vary by company.
- WaterSure (WaterSure Plus / WaterSure Wales): caps a metered bill if you get certain benefits and have a large family or a medical condition that means using more water.
- Payment breaks and plans: ask your water company early. Many have hardship funds and can clear arrears if you keep up regular payments.
- Free advice: the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) helps with disputes and support.
The water industry is being reformed
In July 2025 the government announced that Ofwat will be abolished and replaced by a single new water regulator, combining water functions now spread across Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. A white paper, A new vision for water, followed in January 2026, with legislation to follow. Campaigners have criticised the decision not to include a single national social tariff. Read our explainer: water bills and the new regulator.
Sources: GOV.UK: Ofwat to be abolished · House of Commons Library: A new vision for water.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
