Water Bill Calculator
Estimate your water bill from metered usage — water supply, sewerage and standing charges — using typical 2025 UK rates you can edit to match your supplier.
Water bill estimate
Metered usage. Editable 2025 rates.
A guide using typical 2025 rates. Charges vary widely by company — check your supplier and the regulator Ofwat.
How water bills work in the UK
If you have a water meter, your bill has three parts: a charge for the clean water you use, a charge for sewerage (waste water taken away), and fixed standing charges for each service. Both volume charges are billed per cubic metre (m³) — that's 1,000 litres. Unmetered homes instead pay a fixed amount based on the property's old rateable value.
A typical UK household using 110 m³ a year, at about £1.65/m³ for water and £1.30/m³ for sewerage plus £120 standing charges, pays roughly £445 a year — close to the UK average combined bill. Rates vary a lot between water companies.
Typical annual water use
| Household | Typical use (m³/yr) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | ≈ 55 |
| 2 people | ≈ 90 |
| Family of 4 | ≈ 130 |
| 1 m³ | 1,000 litres |
Indicative figures; charges and usage vary by company and region. See Ofwat — your water bill.
Metered or unmetered — which is cheaper?
As a rule of thumb, a water meter saves money if you have more bedrooms than people in the house, because unmetered charges assume a household uses an average amount. A single person in a three-bed home often pays far less on a meter. Most companies let you switch to a meter free and try it for up to two years before deciding. Edit the rates above to match your own supplier's tariff for an accurate figure.
Frequently asked questions
How is a metered water bill calculated?
Multiply your annual water use in cubic metres by the water rate, add the same usage times the sewerage rate, then add the fixed standing charges. For example, 110 m³ at £1.65 plus £1.30, plus £120 standing, is about £445 a year.
What is the average water bill in the UK?
The average combined water and sewerage bill is around £450–£500 a year, though it varies significantly by water company. Metered customers who use less water typically pay below the regional average.
How much is 1 cubic metre of water?
One cubic metre is 1,000 litres. Combined water and sewerage charges are typically around £2.50 to £3.00 per cubic metre once both volume rates are added together, plus fixed standing charges.
Should I get a water meter?
A meter usually saves money if your home has more bedrooms than occupants, because unmetered bills assume average usage. Most companies let you switch for free and revert within about two years if it costs more.
Why is sewerage charged separately?
Sewerage covers taking away and treating the waste water that leaves your home. It is billed per cubic metre alongside your clean-water supply, and most households are charged for both unless they have a soakaway or septic tank.