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Why is my bill higher than usual?


If you have a water meter, you'll be billed for the amount of water you use, although there are a number of reasons that could cause your bill to be higher than expected. Here, we take you through the list of things to check and what can be done.

1. Price increases

Please see the table below showing the typical household price increase depending on what you are charged.

Charge Price Increase
Unmetered water and sewerage 9.7%
Unmetered water only 5.1%
Unmetered sewerage Only 12.9%
Metered water and sewerage 6.2%
Metered water only 1.6%
Metered sewerage 9.3%
HelpU 9.8%
WaterSure Wales Full Service & Water 9.7%

Please see the table below showing the typical non-household price increase depending on what you are charged.

Charge Price Increase
Unmetered water and sewerage 11.5%
Unmetered water only 7.7%
Unmetered sewerage Only 13.8%
Metered water and sewerage 11%
Metered water only 7.4%
Metered sewerage 13.2%

Does your bill look right?

Answer a few short questions to see an estimate on what your bill should be.

How many people live at your property?

This includes both adults and children.

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How do you use your water?

Do you use a power shower, washing machine or dish washer, garden sprinkler, or hosepipe?

Please select Yes or No

Your estimate

Based on the information you’ve provided, we would expect your metered bill to be around £{MonthlyCharge} per month (or {AnnualCharge} per year) for 3 people in the property.

If more than 3 people live in your property, we would expect an additional £12 per month (or £144 per year) per person based on average consumption data.

This is just a guide. Your bill may be higher or lower than this depending on how much water you use, and you will be billed based on the amount of water you use every 6 months.

We would expect your bill to be around

£{{monthlyCharge}}

per month

or £{AnnualCharge} per year.

Does your metered bill look right?


Enter how many people live in your property for an estimate of your metered charges for 2026/2027.


Metered charges for a 1 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a one person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £447.36.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage Total Service Charge*
£101.54 £135.44 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £447.36
6 Monthly £223.68
Monthly £37.28
Weekly £8.60

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £26.26 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage Total Service Charge*
£99.61 £123.41 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £421.10
6 Monthly £210.55
Monthly £35.09
Weekly £8.10


How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 2 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a two person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £684.34.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£203.08 £270.89 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.



Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £684.34
6 Monthly £342.17
Monthly £57.03
Weekly £13.16

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £40.22 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£199.22 £246.82 £198.08
Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £644.12
6 Monthly £322.06
Monthly £53.68
Weekly £12.39


How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 3 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a three person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £921.33.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£304.62 £406.33 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £921.33
6 Monthly £460.66
Monthly £76.78
Weekly £17.72

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £54.18 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£298.83 £370.23 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £867.15
6 Monthly £433.57
Monthly £72.26
Weekly £16.68


How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 4 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a four person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £1,158.31.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£406.16 £541.78 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,158.31
6 Monthly £579.16
Monthly £96.53
Weekly £22.28

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £68.14 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£398.44 £493.64 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,090.17
6 Monthly £545.08
Monthly £90.85
Weekly £20.96



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 5 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a five person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £1,395.30.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£507.70 £677.22 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,395.30
6 Monthly £697.65
Monthly £116.27
Weekly £26.83

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £82.11 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£498.06 £617.06 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,313.19
6 Monthly £656.60
Monthly £109.43
Weekly £25.25



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 6 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a six person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £1,632.28.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£609.24 £812.67 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,632.28
6 Monthly £816.14
Monthly £136.02
Weekly £31.39

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £96.07 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£597.67 £740.47 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,536.21
6 Monthly £768.11
Monthly £128.02
Weekly £29.54



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 7 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a seven person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £1869.27.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£710.78 £948.11 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,869.27
6 Monthly £934.63
Monthly £155.77
Weekly £35.95

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £110.03 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£697.28 £863.88 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,759.24
6 Monthly £879.62
Monthly £146.60
Weekly £33.83



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 8 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual measured charge for a eight person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £2106.25.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£812.32 £1,083.56 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £2,106.25
6 Monthly £1,053.13
Monthly £175.52
Weekly £40.50

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £123.99 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£796.89 £987.29 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £1,982.26
6 Monthly £991.13
Monthly £165.19
Weekly £38.12



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 9 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a nine person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £2343.24.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£913.86 £1,219.00 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £2,343.24
6 Monthly £1,171.62
Monthly £195.27
Weekly £45.06

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £137.96 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£896.50 £1,110.70 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £2,205.28
6 Monthly £1,102.64
Monthly £183.77
Weekly £42.41



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

Metered charges for a 10 person household

From 1st April 2026

We would expect the annual metered charge for a ten person household from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 to be about £2580.22.

This is based on an average usage of 1m3 per person per week. Actual charges will vary depending on your usage and may be higher or lower than this.


This is split between:

Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£1,015.40 £1,354.45 £210.37

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Depending on how often you pay your bill, we would expect this to break down to...

Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £2580.22
6 Monthly £1,290.11
Monthly £215.02
Weekly £49.62

How does this compare to last year?

This is an increase of £151.92 compared to 2025-2026 charges (Charges from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.)



Water Sewerage *Total Service Charge
£996.11 £1,234.11 £198.08

*Total Service Charge is the combined water and sewerage service charges.


Payment Frequency Charge
Annual £2,428.30
6 Monthly £1,214.15
Monthly £202.36
Weekly £46.70



How we calculate your metered bill

We recognise it’s not always easy to work out how we calculate your bill. It can be complicated. Above, you’ll find a simple breakdown of our charges for:

  • Water
  • Sewerage (the dirty water we take away from your property)
  • Total service charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets a limit on what we can charge. Our charges are reviewed each year and are also approved by Ofwat.


As a metered customer, we usually charge you based on your meter reading. This reading tells us how much water you’ve used and how much dirty water we’ll need to take away.


If you have applied for a water meter but have been unable to have one fitted, you may be entitled to go on an assessed measured charge. It is a specially reduced charge, at a fixed amount, in the event that a water meter cannot be fitted. For more information, click here.


To view and download our latest scheme of charges, click here.

2. How we calculate your payments

To work out your monthly payment, we start by looking at your last two bills and averaging them over 12 months. We then apply any price changes shown in the table above.

If your previous payments didn’t fully cover your bills, your new amount will include an adjustment to clear any outstanding balance and cover the water you’ve used.

If you had credit on your last bill, we may have temporarily reduced your payments to use that credit. Once it’s used up, we’ll increase your payments to make sure you stay on track and avoid falling into arrears.

3. A longer billing period

Your latest bill could be for a longer period than your previous bill. The longer the bill period, the more water you will use.

For example, your first bill could be for 150 days and 26m3, and your second bill be for 193 days and 33m.3.

4. Increased consumption

If your water use has gone up compared to previous bills, your monthly payment will increase to reflect this. We base your payments on your recent usage, so any extra water you’ve used will be included in the calculation.

This helps make sure your payments cover your actual consumption and prevents you from falling behind on your account.

Your water use can increase if more people are living in your home or if you’ve taken on activities that use extra water. This might include welcoming a new baby, having guests stay, or family members moving back in.

It can also happen during home renovations or when enjoying water-based activities like filling a hot tub, paddling pool, or pond, or spending more time gardening. These changes can lead to higher water usage and may affect your payments.

5. A water leak

  • A dripping tap which can waste at least 18 litres a day. This would cost about £20 a year!
  • A leak on an appliance e.g. a washing machine or boiler.
  • A leak on any pipework which is your responsibility.

If you're worried you may have a leak, take a look at our help and advice article on dealing with leaks at home and how to perform a leak test.

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