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Are water meters cheaper, and how are they read?

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UKPublished 6 October 2026 · Written by BuyMeWhiskey Editorial Team · How we check facts

A water meter can reduce a household bill, but it depends on your current charge, household size and water use. In England, metered customers are billed using recorded consumption plus the company’s applicable charges, and water companies must read non-smart meters regularly.

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Use the Consumer Council for Water’s 2026/27 water-meter calculator to compare your likely costs.

Use the 2026/27 water meter calculator

How a water meter changes your bill

An unmetered household bill is generally not based on your actual litres used. With metering, the water company measures water passing through the property and applies the charges for your area. Ofwat says whether a meter saves money depends on what you pay now, the number of people living at the property and how much water you use.

That makes household behaviour important. A small household with relatively low consumption may be more likely to benefit than a large household that uses a lot of water. The right comparison is your actual current bill against a realistic estimate of future metered charges.

How is a water meter actually read?

For a traditional non-smart meter, the company may send a meter reader or ask for a customer reading. Ofwat says a non-smart water meter should be read regularly, at least once every 13 months in England. Smart meters can be read remotely and may also let customers see usage through an app or website.

When you provide your own reading, photograph the meter if possible. A photo creates a record of what you submitted on that date. Follow the water company’s instructions about which digits to enter, because some meter displays contain digits that are not used for billing.

What does “per unit” mean?

People often ask for the price of one unit without considering the rest of the bill. Water bills can contain water-supply and wastewater charges, and some charges depend on the measured volume. Ofwat explains that wastewater services include foul sewage, surface-water drainage and highway drainage, with the company’s rules determining how each is charged.

Your water company should publish its current charges. The Consumer Council for Water calculator is useful because it has been updated with 2026/27 charges and can compare a metered bill with alternatives.

Are water meters compulsory?

There is no single answer for every property. Metering rules can depend on the area, company licence conditions and the circumstances of the home. Instead of assuming that every customer can refuse or every customer must switch, check your water company’s current position for your property.

If a company says a meter is required or that charges will change, ask for the explanation in writing. Your water company and the Consumer Council for Water are better sources than a forum post describing another household’s experience.

Could a high reading be a leak?

Yes. Ofwat says a higher-than-usual metered bill can indicate a leak on the underground supply pipe into the property. Water companies should provide help with leak detection and explain their leakage-allowance arrangements. In many cases, the allowance depends on the leak being repaired and can be refused in certain circumstances, including some cases of delay or negligence.

If your meter moves while all household taps and appliances are off, treat that as a reason to investigate. A sudden jump in consumption can also come from a running toilet, faulty appliance or outdoor use, not only an underground pipe.

What if you cannot have a meter installed?

Ofwat says the company should offer an assessed charge in some circumstances when it cannot install a meter. This is an estimate of what your metered bill might have been. Compare that assessed charge with your existing bill before deciding whether a move would save money.

What are the main pros and cons?

Potential benefit	Potential drawback
Low-use households may reduce charges	High-use households can pay more
Actual consumption becomes visible	Leaks can become more noticeable through higher bills
Usage can be monitored	There may be more bill variability

A meter is therefore a measurement tool, not a guarantee of savings. The best decision comes from comparing your own household’s expected usage with the current charge structure.

Worked example

Illustrative bill comparison: imagine an unmetered annual water bill of £620. Suppose the same household’s estimated metered annual total is an illustrative £470 under the applicable 2026/27 charge structure.

Illustrative annual saving: £620 − £470 = £150.
Illustrative monthly equivalent: £150 ÷ 12 = £12.50.

The £620 and £470 figures are illustrative, not your company’s current tariff. The correct comparison should use the Consumer Council for Water calculator or your water company’s current charges, with realistic household consumption. If your measured use later rises because of a leak or increased consumption, the saving could disappear.

The example also shows why comparing annual totals is more useful than focusing only on a headline unit price or a single meter reading.

Will a water meter save me money?#

It may, especially if your household uses relatively little water. Ofwat says the result depends on what you currently pay, how many people live at the property and how much water you use. Use your actual bill and the Consumer Council for Water calculator rather than relying on a general rule.

How often should a water meter be read?#

Ofwat says a non-smart household water meter in England should be read regularly, at least once every 13 months. Some companies read more often, and smart meters can be read remotely. Keeping a photo of your own reading is useful when checking an estimate or querying an unusual bill.

How much does one unit of metered water cost?#

There is no single UK-wide price. Your company’s 2026/27 charges and the wastewater services included in your bill determine the cost. The Consumer Council for Water calculator is designed to help customers compare the relevant current charges for their property and household.

Can a water meter be wrong if my bill suddenly increases?#

Yes, but a high bill can also indicate a leak or higher usage. Check the meter reading against the bill first, then monitor the meter with household water use stopped. Ofwat says your company should help with leak detection and explain its leakage-allowance arrangements.

What is an assessed water charge?#

If your water company cannot install a meter, it may offer an assessed charge. Ofwat describes this as an estimate of what your metered bill might have been. Compare that amount with your current unmetered charge before deciding whether it would be cheaper.

Are Thames Water customers required to have a meter?#

Metering requirements depend on the property and the company’s applicable rules, so do not assume a forum post applies to every Thames Water home. Check the current Thames Water information for your address and compare it with Ofwat and Consumer Council for Water guidance if the position is unclear.

Keep reading

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Sources

Figures were checked against these sources before publication. If a rule changes, we update the page and show the new date.

General information, not personal financial advice. Rules depend on your circumstances; check the official source or speak to a regulated adviser before acting.