Our household charges 2021/2022

Our household charges scheme relates to the period starting from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022.

Below is a summary of our tariffs that form part of our charges scheme for 2021/2022 (PDF 961 KB opens in a new window).

Our expected average household water bill for 2021/22 is £425.06, a decrease of 2.1 per cent compared to our actual 2020/21 average household water bill of £434.16.

Your water bill will be more or less than this amount depending on the services you receive from us and whether you have a water meter or your charges are based on your home's rateable value. Please visit 'Understanding your bill' to watch a short video which explains how we calculate your charges.

In straightforward terms, we charge you for the following services: 

  • Supplying clean water to your home
  • Taking away and cleaning all your dirty water (which we call sewerage services)
  • Taking away all the rainwater that falls on your home and the public roads and footpaths
  • Standing charges to cover essential services such as reading your water meter (if you have one), sending bills and dealing with enquiries

Please note that charges are shown exclusive of any VAT and are annual, unless stated otherwise.

Household charges if you don't have a water meter

Unmeasured water charges

Water

Standing charge

  £65.90

Charge per £RV*

  £1.095

 

Unmeasured sewerage charges

  Foul drainage charge per £RV Surface water drainage charge per £RV Highway drainage charge per £RV Total charge per £RV*
All services £1.014 £0.466 £0.209 £1.689
No surface water drainage service £1.014 n/a £0.209 £1.223
Surface water drainage and highway drainage services only n/a £0.466 £0.209 £0.675


*RV charges: if you don't have a water meter, your bill is a fixed amount each year based on the rateable value of your home. To calculate your bill, we multiply your rateable or charging value by the £RV charge shown in the table above.

Household charges if you have a water meter

Measured water charges

Water

Standing charge

£25.01

Volumetric charge per m3

 £1.850

Assumes a 15mm meter has been fitted.

Measured sewerage charges

  Standing charge Foul drainage volumetric charge per m3 Surface water drainage fixed charge Highway drainage fixed charge
All services £4.71 £1.241 £69.64 £32.43
No surface water drainage service £4.71 £1.241 n/a £32.43

Assessed charges - when we're unable to fit a water meter

If you live in a household property and you have applied to have a meter fitted free of charge (including altered household premises) but a meter cannot be installed, an assessed charge is available, comprising of a fixed annual amount varying according to the type of premises except where only one person lives at the premises:

Type of premises Water Sewerage Total
Single person household (not applicable to any property with a swimming pool larger than 10,000 litres) £95.72 £164.91 £260.63
Detached (includes houses, link detached houses and bungalows)* £242.75 £263.38 £506.13
Semi-detached (includes houses and semi-detached bungalows)* £218.89 £247.41 £466.30
Other household premises (includes flats and terraced houses)* £159.94 £207.94 £367.88

Larger property - a property which either:

  • has a swimming pool (larger than 10,000 litres) or;
  • is larger than 250m2 in area, and has six or more bedrooms
£472.26 £414.96 £887.22


*excludes properties which meet the larger property criteria

If premises are not connected to the public sewer system for surface water drainage, either directly or indirectly, the sewerage charge for each type of premises will be reduced by £69.64

Watersure - a charge for vulnerable groups

If you are eligible for this charge it is based on the average household charge.

  Water Sewerage Total
Average household charge £202.84 £222.22 £425.06


If premises are not connected to the public sewer system for surface water drainge, either directly or indirectly, the sewerage charge for each type of premises will be reduced to £152.58

Help to pay

If you are eligible the annual charges is

  Water Sewerage Total
Tier 1 £122.98  £133.22  £256.20
Tier 2 £173.66 £188.14 £361.80

Support Tariff

If you are eligible the annual charges are:

  Water Sewerage Total
Band 1 £57.89 £62.71 £120.60
Band 2 £95.62 £103.58 £199.20
Band 3 £124.42 £134.78 £259.20
Band 4 £167.90 £181.90 £349.80
Band 5 £191.23 £207.17 £398.40
Band 6 £231.55 £250.85 £482.40

 

  • Discount for Direct Debit payers - if you pay by Direct Debit an annual discount of £5.00 will be made to your account
  • If you pay your water services via a registered social landlord or local authority that is participating in our scheme, an annual discount of £10.00 will be applied to your account.
  • Owners' allowance - an annual allowance of 3.5% is available to owners of premises who, by agreement with us, undertake to pay unmetered charges for one or more tenanted household properties. To qualify for the allowance, payment must be made as stated on your bill
  • Other water companies' charges - charges will be different if you live near the borders of our area and receive water supply or sewerage services from another company
  • Enquiries over basis of charge - if you are moving into a household property within our area you can obtain details of our charges for that property by telephoning 0345 672 2888

How bills for households with meters are changing for 2021/2022

How bills for households without a meter are changing for 2021/2022

Assurance statement

Our assurance statement - charges submission 2021/2022 can be viewed here (PDF 135 KB opens in a new window)

Charging rules

Our household charging rules (PDF 317 KB opens in a new window) 

Prior year's charges

Charges for 2020/2021 can be found here

Charges for 2019/2020 can be found here

Charges for 2018/2019 can be found here 

Important Notice

Cold Weather

After a few freezing cold days in the North West, it looks like the temperature is beginning to rise.

As the weather warms up over the next few days, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. It's worth taking some steps now to be prepared just in case this happens to you.

  1. Check your pipes in any cold places such as the loft or garage - can you spot any water dripping from the pipe?
  2. Find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it clockwise to turn off the water.
  3. Turn off your heating, open all your taps to drain the system quickly.
  4. Soak up any escaping water with towels.
  5. Check with your home insurance company to see if you’re covered for leaks and bursts or call a plumber.
  6. If you need to find a plumber in your area visit www.watersafe.org.uk
  7. If water has leaked near your electrics switch them off at the mains.

For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter.

Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

As the weather warms up, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter. Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

Cold Weather

Please click the button below to confirm you have seen this message

I have read this info