What To Do If You Can’t Afford Your Water Bill

From April 2026, water bills in England are set to rise by an average of 5.4%.
This is unwelcome news for many households, given the fact that 48 million people in the UK – approximately 88% - are currently struggling with the cost of living, and a further 24% are finding it difficult to pay their utility bills.

The frustrating thing about water bills is that, unlike other utilities, you can’t simply shop around for a better deal. Your water provider is decided by where you live.
The good news is that while it’s not possible to change your water provider, there are things you can do to reduce the cost of your bill.

In our guide, Little Loans shares some tips on how to save money on your water bill.

Please note that water bill payments work differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be focusing on water bill information for England.

How much is the average water bill per month in the UK?

In 2025, the average monthly water bill in the UK was £50.
Remember, this figure represents the average; some households will pay more, some less. The cost of a water bill per household will depend on various factors such as the area and the number of occupants.

Water meter vs no water meter

Water meter	No water meter
You’ll pay for the amount of water you use.	You’ll pay a set amount, regardless of your water usage.

Is it cheaper to be on a water meter?

'Is it cheaper to be on a water meter?’ is a commonly asked question, although it’s important to note that there isn’t a set answer. Whether a water meter is cheaper for you will depend on your circumstances.

If you’re a single-person household or a couple that doesn’t use a lot of water, then a water meter could be more cost-effective and something to consider. On the other hand, if you have a large family and your water usage tends to be high, you might be better off paying a set amount each month, without a meter.

The free-to-use Water Meter Calculator could help you work out whether it could be more affordable for you to switch to a meter.

Can I get a water meter fitted for free?

Yes, you can get a water meter fitted for free if you live in England or Wales.
If you’d like to have a water meter fitted, simply contact your water provider, and they will talk you through the next steps.

If, after having a water meter fitted, you find that your bills have gone up rather than down, you can ask to revert back to your previous billing method. To make this change, you must contact your provider within one year of having the water meter installed.

What happens if a water meter cannot be fitted?

Why can’t some houses have water meters? There are several reasons why you may not be able to have a water meter fitted at your property. We’ve listed some of the reasons below.

• The current plumbing system in your property does not support the installation of a water meter.
• There is a joint water supply between your property and the one next door, and they need to be separated.
• Additional meters will need to be fitted because there are multiple supplies to the property.

Your water provider should be able to give you with further information as to why it is not possible to complete a water meter installation.

If you’re not able to get a water meter, you should be offered an assessed charge as an alternative. An assessed charge, which may be referred to by an alternative name depending on the provider, offers households that cannot be fitted with a smart meter a different rate, which will be based on the size and type of the property, and the number of occupants.

How to save money on your water bill

• Check to see if you’re eligible for any benefits or schemes
  In the UK, an estimated 7 million households are not claiming the benefits and social tariffs that they’re eligible for. It’s possible that many people are not aware that they are eligible for extra support. You can check your benefit entitlement here, using the free Turn2Us benefits calculator.

  Some water providers offer a social tariff scheme, enabling low-income households to access lower rates. It’s worth checking out your provider’s website or contacting them for further information.

  
  
• The WaterSure Scheme
  If you’re on a water meter, in receipt of certain benefits, and have a reasonable excuse for using a lot of water, you could be eligible for the WaterSure scheme. The WaterSure scheme, which is available across all water providers in England and Wales, caps the amount of money you spend on water, even if the amount you use exceeds this.


• Be conscious of waste
  Many of us are guilty of wasting water without even realising. Do you leave the tap running while you brush your teeth, or daydream in the shower for longer than necessary?
  Did you know that challenging yourself to keep your showers to just four minutes could save you £45 a year, and turning the taps off while brushing your teeth could reduce your water usage by 12 litres each time?
  Making small, conscious changes could make a big difference to your overall usage.


• Reuse water
  There are multiple ways you could reuse water and cut back on your expense.
  Why not recycle bath or shower water in the garden?
  Better yet, collect rainwater and use it to water the plants instead.


• Fix leaks as soon as you can
  Water bills are high at the best of times, and there’s nothing more annoying than paying for water that you haven’t even intentionally used, thanks to a pesky leak.
  As soon as you spot a leak, you should try to get it fixed. We understand that calling in a plumber may well be the last thing your finances need, but ignoring a leak could end up costing you more in the long run, in both bills and damage to your property.


• Make use of any free water-saving devices offered by your provider
  Some water providers offer various gadgets to help households savvily cut back on their usage. For example, South East Water supplies free ‘4-minute shower timers’, ‘LeakyLoo’ detection strips, and regulated shower heads.


• Look into different payment schedules
  Some companies may offer a range of payment schedules, including the opportunity to pay your bills on a monthly, bi-annual, or annual basis. If this is something your provider offers, it could be worth looking into the different options available to see which best suits your situation. While this won’t necessarily save you money, switching up your payment routine could help you better manage your finances. For instance, you might find it easier to make a single, large payment once a year, rather than factoring smaller payments into your budget each month. It’s all down to personal preference, and exploring the options with your provider could work in your favour.

What to do if you’re struggling to pay your water bill

If you are finding it tricky to meet your water bill obligations, please reach out and speak to your provider as soon as you can. They will talk you through any options that could be available to help. The type of support on offer will vary between providers but could include temporarily reduced repayments or a repayment holiday.

Could I get a loan to pay my water bill?

You could get a loan to help you pay your water bill, although you should speak to your provider first, as they may be able to offer or suggest a suitable alternative.
A loan is not something you should apply for on a whim; it’s a serious financial commitment and requires a great deal of consideration.

It’s crucial to understand how a loan works. If you’ve been approved for a loan, you’ll have to make monthly repayments, which will include interest. Please take the time to think about how this will affect your monthly budget.

If you’ve exhausted every avenue with your provider and feel as though a personal loan could be a suitable choice for you, Little Loans could help you search.

Search for a loan between £100 and £10,000

Little Loans is a credit broker, working with a panel of direct lenders. The lenders on our panel offer short-term, personal loans with a range of repayment terms between 3 and 60 months, depending on the amount of money you apply to borrow.
Searching for a water bill loan with Little Loans will not affect your credit score.*

You should never apply to borrow more money than you need or can afford to repay.

I’m worried about money; what should I do?

Many of us will experience money worries at some point in our lives. Financial fears can leave us feeling silenced, isolated, and overwhelmed. Speaking to friends and family about money can feel scary, but please know that you can get free, confidential advice from an impartial ear through the following charities and organisations: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

*If you’re matched with a loan through a search with Little Loans and choose to make a full application with the lender, they will carry out a creditworthiness assessment, which will include a hard search or Open Banking. Please be aware that a hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches in a short period of time will have a negative impact on your credit score.