Drip Drop Savings: Simple Tips to Reduce Your Water Bill
Water is often low on the list when it comes to cutting household bills. After all, you can’t switch suppliers, so it’s not the easiest utility to save money on. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a few smart changes, you can reduce your water use, help the planet, and lower your bills — all at once.
Why You Should Care About Water Use
Touch wood, it’s been several years since we last had a hosepipe ban. But I can remember the late ’80s and ’90s, when they seemed to come around every summer — and everyone acted surprised, even though the UK is hardly short on rain.
Here are a few uncomfortable facts:
- The average UK citizen uses around 140–150 litres of water per day — that’s about 70 bottles of 2 litres each.
- Despite our famously wet weather, parts of the South East of England are classed as “water-stressed”, with less water per person compared to desert states such as Syria and Sudan!
- We get plenty of rainfall, but our storage and infrastructure mean we often struggle to make the most of it.
Cutting water use isn’t just good for the environment — it can make a noticeable difference to your bills too.
💦 Easy Ways to Reduce Water Usage
Small changes really can add up. Here are a few quick wins that can help shrink your water bill:
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
- Take showers instead of baths.
- If you do take a bath, share the water between family members.
- Think before you flush — “if it’s brown, flush it down; if it’s yellow, let it mellow.”
- Only fill the kettle with the amount you actually need (you’ll save electricity too).
- Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full.
Some of these might not be for everyone (yes, the toilet one divides opinion!), but even adopting a few can make a real difference.
Also worth reading
If you want to save some more money, take a look at how to reduce your heating bills.
🪣 Save Water Save Money
A great place to start is Save Water Save Money.
According to the company, they’ve delivered over 2.75 million water-saving devices to more than a million UK homes, saving over 51 billion litres of water.
On their site, you’ll find products designed to help you waste less and save more. Examples include:
- Water butts — collect rainwater for your garden during dry spells.
- Water-saving gel — can reduce plant watering needs by up to four times.
- Toilet cistern bags — save roughly 0.5 to 1.2 litres per flush, depending on your toilet type.
- Eco shower heads — maintain pressure but use less water.
Many UK water companies work with Save Water Save Money to offer free devices. Just enter your postcode on their site to see what’s available. (Sadly, my own supplier — South East Water — never seems to offer anything. Typical!)
⚙️ Should You Get a Water Meter?
If you’ve already cut your usage but still feel your bill is high, consider fitting a water meter.
A meter measures how much you actually use and charges you accordingly. Most companies install them free of charge, and they can be a great option if you live alone or have a small household.
Before the 1990s, water bills were based on a home’s rateable value (what it could be rented for), meaning larger homes still pay more even if they use less. A meter levels the playing field.
Even tenants can request one if they have a tenancy of six months or longer, and most water companies allow a trial period of up to two years. If you don’t save money, you can revert to your old system.
However, meters don’t always guarantee lower costs. When we moved house, our home already had one — and as a family of four, our bills actually went up. So, it really depends on your usage habits.
After all, would water companies spend millions installing meters if they knew they’d lose revenue?
To check whether a meter would save you money, use the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) calculator or visit Citizens Advice for guidance.
🧾 The WaterSure Scheme
The WaterSure scheme helps households on low incomes who need to use extra water — for example, if someone in your home has a medical condition requiring higher water use, or if you have several school-aged children.
If you qualify, your bill will be capped, meaning you’ll never pay more than the average metered bill for your water company’s area.
To qualify, you must:
- Have a water meter (or have applied for one).
- Receive certain benefits, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit (above the family element)
- And have a high essential use of water.
Some suppliers also accept Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment. Always check with your water company if you’re unsure.
If you qualify for both WaterSure and a social tariff, most companies will apply whichever gives you the greater discount.
💧 Final Thoughts
Water might not seem like your biggest household expense, but with costs rising across the board, every bit helps. From turning off the tap to fitting a meter or checking for social tariff support, there are plenty of ways to bring your bills down.
And remember: saving water doesn’t just save money — it’s one of the simplest ways to help the environment too.
