More than two million low-income households across England and Wales could be eligible for significant savings on their annual water bills, with a crucial support scheme delivering an average reduction of £325.
How the WaterSure Bill-Capping Scheme Works
The WaterSure programme is a vital financial safety net designed to protect eligible customers from high water costs. To qualify, households must have a water meter installed and meet one of two key criteria: either be responsible for three or more children under the age of 19, or have a member with a medical condition that necessitates high water usage, such as certain skin diseases.
For those who meet the requirements, their annual water bill is capped at the average metered bill for their local area. This means they will never pay more than this fixed amount, regardless of how much water they actually use. In cases where a household's normal metered usage would cost less than the cap, they simply pay the lower amount.
Who is Eligible for the Support?
Access to the WaterSure scheme is linked to receipt of specific Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits. All water companies in England and Wales must offer the scheme if you, or someone living in your household, receives one of the following six benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Customers of Welsh Water are covered by a near-identical programme known as WaterSure Wales.
Calls for a Stronger and Fairer System
New figures released by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) reveal the scheme's substantial impact, showing that over 260,800 metered households secured an average bill reduction of £325 in the last year.
However, Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the CCW, has highlighted ongoing concerns about the adequacy of support. "Many customers understand bills need to rise to help fund more reliable services and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas," he said, "but the safety net for people who cannot afford these increases is not strong enough."
The CCW is now advocating for broader reform, pushing for the creation of a single, national social tariff to ensure consistent and fair financial support reaches those in greatest need across all water regions.
Eligible households are urged to contact their local water supplier directly to apply for the WaterSure scheme and start reducing their annual outgoings.
