How is my water bill worked out?

Your water bill can be calculated in two ways:

• by measuring the amount of water you use with a meter; or
• by using the value of your property without measuring your water usage.

If you have a water meter, you pay for the water you use plus a standing charge which covers other costs not linked to your usage. Since 1990, all new houses have had to have a water meter installed.

If you don’t have a meter, you’re charged based on the value of your property.  You don’t have to have a meter if you live in:

• a property built before April 1990 and doesn’t have a meter in place,
• southern England where homes must have a water meter fitted.

There is no process for appealing against a rateable value as they stopped being used as a basis for council charges in 1990.

If you are thinking about having a water meter, use our water meter calculator to see if you might be able to save money.

Our help with bills page has plenty of advice if you’re struggling to pay your water bill.