As it stands, the Devon and Cornwall counties have the most expensive water bills in the UK, where the average household and small business consumer pays an average of £520. This average reflects bills for 2024/25 – the forecasted bill for 2025/26 is £686.
This is because these counties are served by South West Water, which maintains thousands of miles of water pipelines to serve water to a relatively small population, dramatically racking up the consumption cost per customer.
Why water bills vary by region
Water bills vary by region in the UK mostly due to the difference in population size and density, as well as the availability of water resources and infrastructure expenditures.
For instance, more densely populated urban regions see lower water bills relative to coastal or rural regions, where the maintenance and costs can be significantly higher. Furthermore, specialised infrastructures in certain regions, such as upgraded water treatment facilities, can also impact regional costs.
What is the water setup in the UK, and how is it billed?
Water in the UK is billed in two ways:
Metered consumers pay only for the water they use, which is based on:
- Standing charge
- Volumetric charge
- Wastewater services
Unmetered consumers, mostly in England and Wales, pay a fixed amount according to the rateable value of their property.
Registered water companies across the UK handle both the supply of clean water and wastewater treatment.
Most Expensive Areas (as of April 1, 2024)
South West Water, which comprises Cornwall/Devon, is consistently the most expensive water supply area in the UK, where consumers have a combined water bill of £520 a year.
Next is Southern Water, comprising Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, which has seen major water bill increases in 2025. The average yearly bill here is estimated at £478 for 2024/25. Money Saving Expert (MSE) estimated the annual bill for 2024/26 to be £703.
Thames Water, comprising the London area, is also among the most expensive areas, which have seen significant increases as of late, with average annual bills at £488 for 2024/25 and £639 for 2025/26.
What drives water bills up?
Geographic challenges
The cost of water can vary a lot between different regions due to geographical challenges, such as water availability, local regulations, and infrastructure needs, from region to region.
Infrastructure constraints
Huge costs are often involved in the maintenance and upgradation of ageing water supply and wastewater infrastructure, which includes piping networks, treatment facilities, and reservoirs.
Environmental costs
Certain regions and areas have stricter environmental regulations, such as those where reducing sewage pollution is a key priority. This requires major investment in new processes and technologies, racking up the overall environmental costs significantly.
Recent inflation and investment needs
General inflation and economic factors, not just in the UK but across the entire world, have impacted the overall cost of supplying water services throughout the nation.
Notable Patterns
Southern coastal areas are consistently the most expensive
The Southern coastal areas are experiencing some of the highest increases, which is primarily due to environmental requirements, infrastructure upgrades, and the need to address the underinvestment in both water and wastewater systems.
Northern England is generally cheaper
Compared to the South, water bills are generally cheaper in the North of England, which is mostly due to the cost of water treatment and distribution, the density of the population there, and the amount of coastline present in each region.
Domestic customers stuck with regional monopolies
One of the key factors responsible for higher water bills for domestic consumers is supplier monopoly, which effectively limits consumer choice and leads to potentially higher price increases.
Can I switch my water supplier?
Unfortunately, most UK consumers cannot switch water suppliers as your water and sewerage provider is automatically determined according to your location or area.
Are metered households paying more or less?
If two households use the same amount of water, the metered household will usually pay less than the unmetered one.
This is because unmetered bills are based on the property’s rateable value rather than actual water usage, which often results in higher charges—especially for low or average users. In contrast, metered households are charged based on the volume of water they consume, plus standing and wastewater charges, giving them more control over their costs.
While exceptions exist—such as when an unmetered property has a very low rateable value or the metered household uses a lot of water—in most cases, for the same usage, a metered bill is cheaper.
Tips to reduce water bills
Fix those leaks without delay
Even the smallest leaks from taps, pipes can waste a lot of water, leading to increased bills. Keep checking for any leaks and repair them promptly.
Spend less time in the shower
By reducing shower time, even if it is by a few minutes or seconds, you might enjoy significant savings, particularly in the long term. Why not use a timer to monitor total time spent in the shower with the water running?
Make more efficient use of appliances
Washing machines and dishwashers can suck up a lot of water during normal operation. Consider using more water-efficient appliances that have high energy ratings (higher ratings for more energy efficiency).
Don’t go overboard with the garden watering
As you water your garden, consider a drip irrigation system or watering can to cut down water waste as much as possible. In fact, collect rainwater in water butts or buckets for garden use later.
Install water-saving devices
Most water companies in the UK offer free water-saving devices. These include tap aerators and low-flow showerheads, both of which can have a noticeable effect on your total water consumption.
Install a water meter
If you’re a fixed charge consumer, switch to a water meter, particularly if you are savvy with your daily water consumption.
Be mindful of outdoor water use
In the summer, it’s important to be extra mindful of how you use outdoor water. When watering plants, for example, consider using leftover water from sinks and showers.
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