A water meter means you only pay for the water you use and you might make significant savings.
How to switch to a water meter
Generally, if there are fewer people living in your home than bedrooms – a water meter should save you money.
Ask yourself if a water meter is worth it
If you don’t have a water meter, you pay a fixed price for your water.
It doesn’t matter how much water you use, your bill won’t change. Instead, the bill is based on the ‘rateable value’ of your home.
Some people pay less with a meter, some don’t – it depends on your own situation.
Check if a meter might be cheaper
Find your bill, then contact your supplier or use the Water Meter Calculator on the Consumer Council for Water website (Opens in a new window)
You’ll get an estimate of how much your bills would be if you had a meter installed.
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Get a meter fitted for free
If you live in England or Wales, you can get a meter fitted for free.
Contact your water company to see if you would save, then fill in an application form by phone, post or online.
The water company will visit your home to see if it’s possible to fit a meter.
If so, they should fit it within three months. Although this might be longer during coronavirus lockdowns.
In Northern Ireland, you’ll need to contact Northern Ireland Water
In Scotland, if you’re not on a water meter – your water bills are paid to your local council. This will usually be alongside your Council Tax.
If you choose to switch to a water meter, you’ll have to pay the cost of installing it yourself. Find out more on the Scottish Water website
Budget Planner
To help you manage your money, use our free and easy-to-use Budget Planner
When you have your meter
Now you have your meter, you can use it to see if you can reduce your usage with some simple tricks.
Find out more in our guide How to save money on water bills
For more water saving tips, visit Ofwat (Opens in a new window)
Is your household income getting squeezed?
If you’re facing higher living costs, but have little or no extra money coming in, find out about extra sources of income and support available to help you manage your household bills and save money in our guide Living on a squeezed income
You can change your mind
If you switched to a meter and find that your bills are bigger - you can simply switch back to unmetered billing.
You just have to make sure you ask your company within the first year. They won’t take the meter away, but they will change your bills back.
What if you’re refused a meter?
If you do get refused a water meter, you can ask for assessed charges. You can be refused a water meter if your water company thinks it’s too difficult or expensive.
These assessed charges are based on the average bills paid by people with meter. So it’s worth checking it would be cheaper.
Renters can switch too
Just because you’re renting, it doesn’t mean you can’t ask to switch. If your name’s on the water bills, you can ask for a water meter.
You don’t have to ask permission from your landlord if you have a short contract – but it’s probably a good idea to ask anyway.
Join our Facebook group
Join our private Budgeting and Saving Facebook group for money-saving tips and support from a community of savers.
