With the staggering rise of energy bills across the UK, it may be time to start looking at your water bills and what changes you can make to potentially slash £100s off your water meter bill. There are many small and larger changes you can make in your household to potentially save on your water bills.
Top Tips To Save You Money On Your Water Bills:
Unlike gas and electricity bills, you can only be supplied by regional water and can’t switch suppliers, but there are many ways to help reduce your bills. If you’re having trouble affording your water bill, please don’t ignore it, there are a number of ways our team of water board-trained Community Workers can help you.
If you’re looking to save money on your water meter or looking to save water for environmental reasons, there are many ways you can cut your water usage around the house; we’ve put together a list of helpful tips:
Turn it off
Conscious Cuppa
Go cold
Fill it up
Shorter Showers
Recycle
Is a water meter for you?
A water meter is a device that measures the exact amount of water that you use in your home. Your water supplier will use that measurement to calculate your water bills, only charging you for the amount of water you actually use.
A water meter could save you money if:
- Live alone or with one other person
- Live in a home with a high rateable value
- Use very little water
To find out if a water meter is financially worthwhile, use the water meter calculator to do a full check or alternatively ask your water company, this is the best indicator of whether you’ll save.
“My bills had reduced significantly, and I’m not being mean with the water, if I need it, I use it, but I’m only paying for what I’m using. My bills are way down, I would definitely recommend a water meter”
MRs w- who was supported by warm wales
How to get a water meter:
To get a water meter installed, call one of our water-board trained Community Workers who can advise you on whether a water meter is right for you, provide the application forms, and directly link you to Welsh Water or Hafren Dyfrdwy.
It’s free to get one installed and water meters can be fitted inside and outside your home.
Once a meter’s installed, the supplier should give you an information pack detailing your new charges and update your online account.
If you have a meter installed, you have two years in which you can request to have the meter removed. Your charges will then revert back to being unmeasured charges. If your property already had a water meter installed before it was purchased or rented, then the water meter cannot be removed.
Get help if you’re struggling to pay your water bills:
Water boards have a range of support available to help ensure you can pay your water bills.
Spread the cost of your bill with direct debit: Customers can pay in weekly, monthly or 6 monthly installments rather than paying the full amount when you receive the bill.
Schemes for those who receive benefits or have low income:
Welsh Water
- HelpU Tariff: Helps low income households by putting a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water. With Welsh Water the annual HelpU charge is £266.47 (£114.98 for water, £151.49 for sewerage).
Check here to see if you qualify: https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/support-with-bills/helpu-tariff
- Water Direct Scheme: If you’re in financial hardship and you’re in debt with Welsh Water, Water Direct may help by paying your water charges and debt through your benefits. This means your arrears will slowly reduce, helping you gain control over your finances.
Check here to see if you qualify for Water Direct: https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/support-with-bills/water-direct-scheme
- WaterSure Tariff: if you already have a meter, or have requested one, the WaterSure scheme puts a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water.
How it works: WaterSure caps your annual metered bill amount so you won’t pay over a certain amount for the year, no matter what your actual consumption is.
The WaterSure Wales charge from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 is £374.01 (£157.50 for water, £216.51 for sewerage).
Check here to see if you’re eligible: watersure-tariff
Hafren Dyfrdwy
- Help2Help Scheme: The Here2Help Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Hafren Dyfrdwy customer with a household income below £16,385.
You don’t need to be behind on your bills or on benefits to apply and eligibility is based on an assessment of your income.
How to apply: https://www.hdcymru.co.uk/my-account/help-when-you-need-it/help-with-paying-your-bill/here-to-help-scheme/
- WaterSure Scheme: WaterSure is open customers on a water meter, who are receiving benefits and have three or more children under 19, or a medical condition requiring the extra use of water.
Check here to see if you qualify: https://www.hdcymru.co.uk/my-account/help-when-you-need-it/help-with-paying-your-bill/watersure-scheme/
- Water Direct: Water Direct is a government scheme which allows you to make payments for essential services direct from your benefits.
You may find it easier to manage your finances by having bill payments taken from your benefits payment automatically.
The Water Direct scheme gives you peace of mind, knowing that your water bill is taken care of and you can use the money in your account for something other than paying bills.
Find out more here: https://www.hdcymru.co.uk/my-account/help-when-you-need-it/help-with-paying-your-bill/water-direct/
Get in touch
For more information on the support available or additional help with applying for schemes, contact our friendly Community Workers who are water-board trained.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 01656 747 622