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Water bill help: social tariffs, WaterSure and high-use support

How water-company social tariffs, WaterSure, metering and payment plans differ—and how to ask the company to compare them for your household.

Last reviewed: 6 July 2026 · UK guidance

In brief

Every household has one regional water company, and each company sets its own social-tariff scheme. WaterSure is a separate capped-bill route for eligible metered households with high essential water use.

Ask for a full bill review rather than naming one scheme. The company should explain current charges, debt, meter status, annual cost and the effect of each option.

Start with the annual bill

Find the current annual charge, payment schedule, arrears and whether the bill is metered, unmetered, assessed or shared. A lower monthly direct debit can hide a growing balance, so use the annual figure.

Compare the scheme tests

A social tariff may use household income or benefits. WaterSure has national conditions linked to benefit entitlement, metering and high essential use. Company hardship and matching schemes can have additional rules.

Consider a meter carefully

Ask for an estimate based on household size and use, and what happens if a meter cannot be fitted. Check the trial or switch-back rules and disability-related high water use before deciding.

Make arrears affordable

Separate future charges and old debt. Ask for an arrangement, matching or write-off programme where available and understand the conditions. Register accessible communication or Priority Services separately.

A complete water-bill review

Use with your regional water company.

Please compare every current support route for this account: social tariff, WaterSure, meter or assessed charge, debt support, payment matching and Priority Services. Show the annual bill, arrears, evidence, review period and what each option would change before I decide.

A practical checklist

  • Use the annual charge and meter status.
  • Check social tariff and WaterSure separately.
  • Ask for a meter estimate and review rights.
  • Separate current charges and debt.

Check the current information

These are the most relevant official or specialist places to confirm live rules, availability and application details.

Help with water bills and WaterSure — Ofwat

ofwat.gov.uk

Open official information
Help with water bills — Consumer Council for Water Independent consumer guidance covering social tariffs, meters, debt support and WaterSure.

ccw.org.uk

Open official information
What WaterSure is — Consumer Council for Water A plain-English explanation of the WaterSure bill-cap scheme and its core conditions.

ccw.org.uk

Open official information
Free, impartial money guidance

moneyhelper.org.uk

Open official information

WaterSure and water bill help

Who WaterSure is designed for, how high essential water use is evidenced and what to check before relying on the capped bill.

Read this guide

Water meter or fixed bill: how to decide which may cost less

How to compare a water meter with an unmetered or assessed bill using household use, high essential needs and the regional company’s trial rules.

Read this guide

Social tariffs explained without the jargon

What social tariffs are, who offers them and how to compare one fairly with an ordinary contract.

Read this guide

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A few closely related starting points, chosen from the same support library.

WaterSure and water bill helpWho WaterSure is designed for, how high essential water use is evidenced and what to check before relying on the capped bill.Water meter or fixed bill: how to decide which may cost lessHow to compare a water meter with an unmetered or assessed bill using household use, high essential needs and the regional company’s trial rules.Social tariffs explained without the jargonWhat social tariffs are, who offers them and how to compare one fairly with an ordinary contract.

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