Why Installing a Water Meter Could Slash Your Bill by 50%

Record-high bills spark surge in demand as households look to take back control

Skyrocketing water bills have triggered a major shift in consumer behaviour — over 100,000 homeowners requested water meters in the first four months of this year alone, amid growing public pressure for reforms in the industry.

The surge comes as the water sector faces a dramatic overhaul. An independent review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe has recommended replacing the existing regulator, Ofwat, and consolidating all four regulatory bodies into one to better serve consumers. Both Cunliffe and the water companies acknowledge that bills are expected to rise over the next five years to fund much-needed upgrades to reduce sewage spills into rivers and coastal waters.

In April, average household water and sewage bills rose by 26% to £603 per year — the steepest increase since the industry was privatised in 1989, according to Water UK. As a result, water providers have seen a huge uptick in meter requests. Some suppliers report two to three times more applications than in the same period last year.

United Utilities, serving 8 million customers across North West England, received 44,640 water meter applications between January and April, up from 23,176 the previous year. Wessex Water, which covers 2.9 million customers in the South West, reported 8,000 applications since annual bills went out in February — double last year’s February-to-July total.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW), a consumer watchdog, added that three other major suppliers collectively saw nearly 75,000 meter requests from January to April, compared to about 42,000 in 2024.

Usage of CCW’s online water savings calculator also soared. Between February and June, 312,630 people used the tool to check potential savings — nearly triple the 111,763 users during the same period last year.

“Suppliers appear to have had unprecedented interest in water meters as customers look for ways to combat the largest increase in bills since privatisation,” said Tim Clarke from the Consumer Council for Water.

What’s Driving the Meter Rush?

With water bills rising sharply and more hikes on the horizon, many households are exploring ways to reduce costs. Debt-laden water companies recently reached an agreement with Ofwat to fund infrastructure improvements — a move that will keep bills on an upward path for at least five years.

The pressure isn’t only financial. Water firms are under intense scrutiny from politicians and environmental groups over sewage pollution. The Environment Agency reported a record 2,801 pollution incidents in England last year, including 75 classified as “serious or persistent” — threatening fisheries, drinking water supplies, and human health. That’s a 60% increase from the 2,174 cases recorded in 2023.

How a Meter Can Cut Your Costs

Switching to a water meter means paying only for what you use, plus fixed charges for sewage and infrastructure. Without a meter, your bill is still calculated using your home’s “rateable value” — an outdated estimate of rental value made between 1967 and 1990.

After installing a meter, charges are based on your usage from the previous year. If you suspect your bill is too high, you can dispute direct debit amounts. Like with energy bills, it’s reasonable to expect usage to fluctuate throughout the year.

Households with water meters typically use about 29% less water than those without, according to Discover Water — a resource supported by Water UK and Ofwat. This is partly because meter users tend to be more mindful of their consumption. A common rule of thumb: if your home has more bedrooms than people, switching to a meter will likely save you money.

According to the Consumer Council for Water, those who save money after installing a meter typically reduce their bill by around £150 per year.

Thinking About Making the Switch?

If you’re looking for ways to cut rising utility costs, a water meter could be a powerful tool. Use the free calculator on the Consumer Council for Water’s website to see how much you could save. With demand growing and industry changes underway, now may be the perfect time to take control of your water usage — and your bill.