It's been illegal to disconnect a domestic water supply since 1999, so water arrears won't leave your household without running water. That doesn't mean ignoring them — unpaid water bills can lead to County Court Judgments and enforcement.
Every water company runs a social tariff — a reduced-rate scheme for customers on low incomes. Names vary (Thames Water 'WaterHelp', Severn Trent 'Big Difference', Anglian 'Extra Care') and eligibility differs. Many go dramatically under-claimed.
Households on qualifying benefits with either three or more children or someone with a medical condition needing extra water may qualify for WaterSure, which caps bills at the average level for your supplier — often a big saving for metered customers.
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