Bills
TL;DR
A water meter charges you only for the water you use rather than a fixed amount based on your property's rateable value. Households with fewer people than bedrooms typically save money on a meter. Installation is free in most cases. You can request a trial period and switch back within 24 months if you pay more. In metered areas, some customers have no choice.
Around half of UK homes are now on a water meter, paying for water by the cubic metre rather than through a fixed unmetered rate based on the historic rateable value of their property. Water meters are compulsory in some areas where water companies have applied for permission from Ofwat to meter all properties due to water scarcity. In other areas, metering remains optional and you can request a free meter installation from your water company.
Whether a water meter saves or costs you money depends primarily on how many people live in your home relative to the number of bedrooms. Households that use less than average amounts of water will generally pay less on a meter. This guide covers how meters work, how to request one, when the trial period applies, and how metered bills are calculated.
Key facts (2026)
- Around 57% of household water connections in England and Wales were metered as of Ofwat's most recent annual data (Ofwat, 2024).
- Water companies must install a meter free of charge if requested, provided a meter can be fitted at a reasonable cost (Water Industry Act 1991, as amended).
- You have a 24-month trial period after optional meter installation during which you can revert to unmetered charges if your metered bill is higher (Consumer Council for Water guidance).
- Average metered household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales in 2025/26: approximately £473 per year (Water UK / Ofwat price review data).
- WaterSure caps metered bills for customers who must use high volumes of water for medical reasons at the average household bill for their water company area (Ofwat).
How unmetered water billing works
Unmetered water bills are calculated using a property's rateable value, a historical figure assigned to properties before the domestic rating system was abolished in 1990. The rateable value broadly reflected the annual rental value of the property at that time. Your water company applies a charge per pound of rateable value per year, resulting in a fixed bill regardless of how much water your household actually uses. This means a single person living in a large house pays based on the property's historic value, which may significantly overstate their actual water consumption compared with a metered equivalent.
How metered water billing works
A water meter records the volume of water passing through in cubic metres. Your bill consists of two elements: a fixed daily standing charge (covering the cost of maintaining the connection regardless of usage) and a volumetric charge per cubic metre consumed. Both the standing charge rate and the volumetric rate are set by each water company within limits approved by Ofwat through the price review process. Bills are typically issued every six months based on actual meter readings; some companies offer monthly direct debit plans calculated on estimated annual consumption. Smart meters, which send readings remotely, are being rolled out by several water companies and allow more accurate billing without manual reads.
Who is likely to save money by switching to a meter
Consumer Council for Water research consistently shows that households with fewer occupants than bedrooms are the most likely to benefit from a water meter. Specifically: single people in any property size, couples without children, and households in large properties relative to their size tend to see lower bills on a meter. Conversely, large families in small properties - where per-person usage is high relative to the property size - may pay more on a meter. A rough guide is that if the number of people in your home is less than the number of bedrooms, a meter is likely to reduce your bill. Ofwat's consumer site provides a simple calculator to estimate metered versus unmetered costs based on your property and household size.
How to request a water meter and the trial period
Contact your water company directly to request a meter installation. In most areas, installation is free. The company will assess whether a meter can be fitted to your property; in some older properties where the pipe configuration does not allow metering, a deemed consumption approach is used instead. Once a meter is installed, your 24-month trial period begins. During this period, if you find your metered bill is higher than your previous unmetered bill, you can request to revert to unmetered charges. After 24 months, you remain on the meter permanently. Some water companies also offer optional smart meter installations that provide consumption data in near-real-time via an app, which can help identify leaks or high-usage appliances.
Compulsory metering and WaterSure
In water-stressed areas, Ofwat can grant water companies permission to implement compulsory metering programmes, where all properties are gradually switched to meters regardless of whether residents request it. Several companies in south-east England have compulsory metering programmes in operation or planned. Customers who are switched compulsorily retain the right to WaterSure protection if they qualify: if you have a medical condition requiring high water use, or have three or more dependent children and receive qualifying benefits, WaterSure caps your metered bill at the average household bill for your water company area. Contact your water company to apply for WaterSure.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is water meter installation free?
In most cases, yes. Water companies are required to install a meter free of charge where it is practicable to do so. In some properties where metering is technically difficult - for example, older terraces with shared supply pipes - a meter cannot be fitted and an assessed charge based on estimated usage is used instead.
Can I switch back to unmetered billing after getting a meter?
Yes, but only within the 24-month trial period if the meter was installed at your request (optional metering). If you are in a compulsory metering area, the trial period rules vary by water company. After 24 months of optional metering, you cannot switch back. Contact your water company within the trial period to revert if your bills have increased.
What is WaterSure and who qualifies?
WaterSure is an Ofwat scheme that caps metered water bills at the average household bill for your water company area. It is available to metered customers who have a medical condition requiring high water use (such as a skin condition, dialysis, or incontinence) or who have three or more dependent children and receive a qualifying means-tested benefit. Contact your water company to apply; there is no charge.
How do I check if I have a water leak that is increasing my metered bill?
Turn off all taps and water-using appliances and check whether your meter dial or digital display is still moving. Movement with all appliances off indicates a potential leak. Check toilets and outdoor taps first, as these are common sources. Your water company may offer a free leak detection visit if a significant leak is suspected.
My metered bill seems much higher than expected. What should I do?
Request a meter reading check from your water company if you suspect the reading is inaccurate. Also check for leaks as above. If you are within your 24-month trial period and the bill is genuinely higher than your previous unmetered bill, contact your company to discuss switching back. If you believe your bill is inaccurate and the company does not resolve it, contact Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) for free advice and mediation.
How we verified this guide
All metering rules and figures were verified against Ofwat price review guidance, Water Industry Act 1991 provisions, Consumer Council for Water guidance on the trial period, and Ofwat WaterSure rules during May 2026. Average bill data from Water UK and Ofwat price determination 2025-30. We do not accept payment from water companies.
Primary sources
- Ofwat - Water meters: your rights and options
- Consumer Council for Water - Water meters guide
- Ofwat - WaterSure scheme
- Water Industry Act 1991 - legislation.gov.uk
Last reviewed: May 2026.