Water bills and the 2026 drought: what metered households can claim and where support sits

Drought does not change your unit rate

Large parts of England moved into drought status in 2026 after a dry period, and several companies introduced temporary use bans (hosepipe bans). A temporary use ban restricts activities such as watering gardens with a hosepipe or filling paddling pools; breaching it can bring a fine. It does not raise the price a metered household pays per cubic metre of water, and it does not change a fixed unmetered bill.

Using less water does lower a metered bill, so cutting non-essential use during a drought reduces what you pay. The ban is a restriction on certain activities, not a change to the tariff structure. For households on a meter, the unit rate stays the same throughout the ban period. For unmetered households, the bill is based on rateable value and is unaffected by the ban or by actual usage.

WaterSure: the cap for high essential use

WaterSure caps the combined water and sewerage charge for eligible metered customers so they are not charged more than the average metered bill for their company. To qualify you must be on a water meter, receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and either have three or more children under 19 in the household or a medical condition needing extra water use.

The scheme is aimed at households that cannot cut usage because of family size or health, who would otherwise be penalised by a meter. It ensures that essential high use does not push a bill above the company average for metered customers. Apply directly to your water company, which administers the scheme and will assess eligibility against the qualifying benefits and household circumstances.

Social tariffs and hardship help

Every water company in England and Wales runs a social tariff giving reduced bills to low-income customers; names, income thresholds and discounts differ by company. Discounts can be substantial for the lowest-income households; some schemes cap the bill at a share of income. Water Direct allows arrears and ongoing charges to be paid straight from certain benefits, which can prevent disconnection-style enforcement action.

Social tariffs are means-tested, and each company sets its own eligibility criteria and level of support. Some schemes are called WaterSure Plus, others have company-specific names. Charitable trust funds run by several water companies can clear arrears for customers in genuine hardship; a benefits and debt check often comes with an application. These trusts are separate from the social tariff and may be available to customers who do not qualify for a tariff reduction.

Why bills have risen

Water bills rose sharply from April 2025 under the regulator's five-year price review, to fund investment in infrastructure and to cut sewage spills. The rise is separate from drought; supply pressure in a dry year does not itself change the tariff a household is on. Customers who think a bill is wrong should raise it with the company first, then the Consumer Council for Water, then the ombudsman scheme.

The price review sets limits on what companies can charge over five years, and the 2025 increase reflects planned capital spending. A water meter can cut bills for households that use less than the unmetered average, and many companies allow a trial period to test whether a meter would reduce costs. Complaints about billing errors or disputed charges follow a set escalation route: the company, then the independent consumer body, then the ombudsman.

How to claim and what to check

Start with your water company: search its website for WaterSure, social tariff and priority services register. Join the Priority Services Register if anyone in the home has a medical need, disability or is of pension age, for extra support during supply interruptions. Have benefit details and household information ready, as eligibility for WaterSure and social tariffs is means-tested or need-based.

Applications for WaterSure and social tariffs require proof of benefits and, for WaterSure, evidence of children or medical need. The Priority Services Register is free to join and provides services such as advance notice of supply cuts, priority reconnection and help with meter reading. If an application is refused, the company should explain why and signpost to appeal routes. This is general information, not advice; a local Citizens Advice can help with applications and arrears negotiation.

Frequently asked questions

Does a hosepipe ban make my water bill go up?

No. A temporary use ban restricts certain uses but does not change a metered household's price per unit or a fixed unmetered charge. Using less water lowers a metered bill.

What is WaterSure?

A scheme that caps the water and sewerage bill for eligible metered customers on qualifying benefits who have three or more children under 19 or a medical need for high water use. Apply through your water company.

Who can get a social tariff?

Low-income customers. Every water company in England and Wales runs one, but income thresholds and discounts vary by company, so check your supplier's scheme.

I am behind on my water bill. What can I do?

Contact your water company about Water Direct (paying from benefits), a social tariff, or a charitable trust fund that can clear arrears for customers in hardship.

Where do I complain about a water bill?

Raise it with your water company first, then the Consumer Council for Water, and if unresolved the ombudsman scheme for water.