Our charges

Metered means you have a water meter and unmetered means you don't have a water meter.

Metered means pay for the water you use. It also means you have more control over your bill. Using less water means you pay less.

Unmetered means your bill is calculated using rateable value. We don't set the rateable value of your home, so we can't change this for you.

Find out more about rateable value in the next question.

Rateable values are used to work out how much to charge properties that do not have water meters.

They were decided by the valuation office and can be different for every home. Rateable values were frozen in 1990, when council tax was introduced, and they have stayed the same since. 

How do we use rateable value to bill our customers?

We bill customers who don’t have a water meter by multiplying the rateable value by the charges for the water and sewerage services we provide to your home.

Thinking about getting a water meter?

Rateable values are not set to the actual amount of water you use. That’s why a lot of our customers save money by having a water meter fitted.

Try our water usage calculator to see if you can save money on a meter. You can also apply online for a water meter. 

If we cannot fit a water meter at your home, we would look to apply an Assessed Measured Charge (AMC).

The assessed charges are a fixed annual charge, based on assumed volumes of water usage. There are two assessed charges available:

1. Single occupier.
2. Standard.

Surface water drainage is the service we provide to take rainwater away from your home.

If you're a household customer, part of your sewerage charges may include the surface water drainage charge. This charge covers the base costs of the surface drainage service, as well as highway drainage.

If your home is not connected to surface water drainage, you may be entitled to a surface water rebate and a discount on your sewerage charges. You will still need to pay towards highway drainage.

Download the application form (PDF, 78KB) to apply for this rebate, if you think your home qualifies.

We are working hard to make sure you can enjoy great tasting tap water and an efficient wastewater service and always have complete trust and confidence in how we spend that money as shown.

Based on the average household bill in 2025/26, water and sewerage charges will cost £1.39 per day.

If you own an empty property, you might ask yourself, do I still pay the water charges?

You'll still need to pay water and sewerage charges for the empty property if:

• your property is furnished, and
• the water is connected, and used for any purpose, like renovation.

But, if you agree that we can turn your water supply off, we won't charge you. 
 
If you'd like to turn the water supply off, just get in touch. We're happy to help.