Your Water Bill Estimate
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Water Bill Estimator
Select your water company region and household size to get an estimated annual and monthly water bill for 2026/27. See how your estimate compares to the UK national average and get a clear cost breakdown.
Tip! — If you're with a water-only company, we'll automatically add the right sewerage provider for your area so your total is properly comparable to the £639 UK average — a genuinely combined water + sewerage figure, not just half the picture.
| Water Company / Region | |
| Billing Type |
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Run calculation to see breakdown | ||
Regional Comparison
GUIDE
How to Read Your Water Bill
A plain-English guide to how water bills are calculated, why they vary by region, and what you can do to reduce yours.
Read Guide →How to Use the Water Bill Estimator
Step-by-Step
- Select your water company — this is determined by where you live, not a matter of choice. Check your water bill or the water company finder on the Ofwat website if you are unsure.
- If you're with a water-only company — a sewerage provider will be automatically selected based on the most common pairing for that company. Change it using the dropdown if you know your area is served by a different sewerage company (some water-only companies span more than one sewerage territory).
- Choose your billing type — select "Regional average" if you are unmetered or unsure, or "Metered" to estimate based on your household size.
- Select your household size (metered only) — more people means more water use and a higher metered bill.
- Click Estimate My Bill — see your estimated annual and monthly bill, how it compares to the UK average for a household your size (if metered) or the typical household (if unmetered), and a regional comparison chart.
Why Water Bills Differ So Much Across the UK
Unlike energy, you cannot switch water supplier in the UK. Your water company is determined entirely by where you live, and bills vary dramatically between regions — from around £162 per year for Portsmouth Water customers to over £743 for South West Water customers in Devon and Cornwall.
These differences reflect each company's infrastructure costs, geography, investment programmes, and the density of the population they serve. Ofwat sets limits on what companies can charge through a five-year price review process.
2026/27 Bill Changes
From July 2026, the national average combined water and sewerage bill rose to £639 per year — up £33 (5.4%) from 2025/26. This follows a much larger £123 rise in 2025/26, which was the first year of Ofwat's five-year investment programme. The largest individual increases in 2026/27 were at United Utilities (+£57), Southern Water (+£55), Hafren Dyfrdwy (+£54) and Severn Trent (+£52).
Why Water-Only Companies Need a Sewerage Partner
England has nine companies that provide both water and sewerage, and several companies that supply water only — including Affinity Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, Portsmouth Water, South East Water, SES Water, and Essex & Suffolk Water. If you're with one of these, a separate company handles your sewerage, and you'll either get one combined bill or two separate bills depending on your area.
Because the UK average of £639 is a combined water + sewerage figure, comparing a water-only bill against it on its own understates your true cost by roughly half. This tool automatically pairs each water-only company with its most common sewerage partner — for example, Bristol Water customers are paired with Wessex Water, and Portsmouth Water customers are paired with Southern Water — so your estimate reflects the full picture. A few water-only companies (South East Water, SES Water, Essex & Suffolk Water, Affinity Water) span more than one sewerage territory, so we default to the most common pairing and let you switch it if you know yours differs.
How Household Size Affects a Metered Estimate
Around 18% of a typical combined water bill is made up of fixed standing charges — covering pipe maintenance, meter reading, and billing — which stay the same no matter how many people live in the property. Only the remaining volumetric portion (what you actually use) scales with household size. This tool applies the household adjustment to the variable portion only, so a single-person household won't show an unrealistically low total — the fixed costs are still there regardless of occupancy.
We also adjust the £639 UK average itself by household size when you select "Metered," using usage data showing how water consumption rises with occupancy (a 1-person household uses around 178 litres/day; a 5-person household uses around 493 litres/day combined, though less per person). This means the comparison you see reflects the typical bill for a household your size — not the UK's overall average household, which is closer to 2.4 people — giving you a genuinely useful answer to "how do I compare to others like me," rather than a comparison against a household size that may not resemble yours at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average water bill in the UK in 2026?
The national average combined water and sewerage bill in England and Wales for 2026/27 is £639 per year, or around £53.25 per month, according to Water UK. This is up from £606 in 2025/26.
Why do water bills vary so much by region?
Water companies are regional monopolies regulated by Ofwat. Bills vary because each company has different infrastructure needs, geography, and investment plans. Rural and coastal areas with older pipe networks tend to have higher bills. You cannot switch water company, so where you live determines your bill.
Does household size affect my water bill?
Yes — if you have a water meter. Metered customers pay for what they use, so more people means more water and a higher bill. If you are unmetered, your bill is based on your property's rateable value regardless of how many people live there.
Which water company has the highest bills?
South West Water has the highest average combined bill in England at around £743 per year for 2026/27, reflecting the remote geography and infrastructure costs of serving Devon and Cornwall. Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) and Anglian Water also have above-average bills.
How can I reduce my water bill?
If you have fewer people in your home than bedrooms, getting a water meter is often the most effective step — it replaces a fixed rateable value charge with one based on actual use. Other options include fixing drips, fitting a low-flow shower head, running appliances on eco settings, and checking whether you qualify for the WaterSure scheme or your company's social tariff.
Why does this tool ask about my sewerage provider?
If you're with a water-only company such as Affinity, Bristol, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, South East, SES, or Essex & Suffolk Water, your sewerage is billed by a separate company. The UK average of £639 is a combined water + sewerage figure, so this tool automatically adds the right sewerage partner for your area to give you a properly comparable total — rather than just showing your water-only cost, which would look misleadingly low next to the national average.