Lowering Your Water Bills: Some Top Tips For The Summer

In 2025-26, over 1,700 clients came to Citizens Advice South Warwickshire for advice on water and sewerage issues, like debts and billing; that’s an increase on the previous year. With water bills set to increase by 10% from April, these issues are not going away.

Below are some top tips on how to save money on your (Severn Trent) water bills and use your water more efficiently:

Water Direct

Water Direct helps you pay your water bill directly from your benefits. The DWP deduct payments from your benefit automatically, which may help you budget better. Go to www.stwater.co.uk/help-and-contact/help-with-paying-your-bill/water-direct/ for more information.

Water Sure

Water Sure is a scheme to cap your bills for 12 months if you are on a low income but use a lot of water. You need to be a STW customer, have a water meter, and receive eligible benefits. See www.stwater.co.uk/help-and-contact/help-with-paying-your-bill/watersure-scheme/ for more information.

Big Difference Scheme

The Big Difference Scheme (BDS) can offer a reduction of water bills for 12 months to any Severn Trent customer with a household income below £24,454. Households with child dependents may be eligible for an additional allowance. Go to www.stwater.co.uk/help-and-contact/help-with-paying-your-bill/big-difference-scheme/ for more information.

Water Meters

For individuals or small families using relatively little water, using a water meter can put you in control of your bills and can allow you to make savings. Around 60% of households already have water meters. Contact STW if you want one installed.

For more support to minimise your water bills either contact Severn Trent Water directly, call the Consumer Council for Water’s Helpline on 0300 034 2222, or call us on 0808 250 5715 for independent advice.

If you are already accessing one or more of these options, here are some extra tips to help you make your use of water more efficient:

Identifying and fixing leaks

According to Water UK, 25% of all water leaks occur in the home. Detecting a leak can be quick and easy. And, if you find a leak, contact your water supplier - many will fix it for free.

Water-saving products

A range of water saving products are available to domestic consumers, such as aerated shower heads, dual-flush toilets and water efficient washing machines. For more on these, and other products, go to watersworthsaving.org.uk/.

Water-saving habits

Though sharing showers and baths may be a step too far, there are still numerous common sense tips that will help you save water or, at least, prevent you from wasting water. Go to www.ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/waterenergysavinghome/ for more information on how to save water in the home.

Finally, if you or your household are particularly vulnerable to breaks in your water supply, you may be eligible to sign up for STW’s ‘Priority Services Register’. It costs nothing to sign up and can benefit you if:

- You need a reliable water supply for medical reasons

- You need bills in ways that are easier to manage - such as in braille, large print or audio formats

- If someone has Power of Attorney over your affairs

Go to www.stwater.co.uk/help-and-contact/priority-services/ for more information on eligibility criteria, an explanation of the benefits of joining, and the sign up link. For all issues ‘water and sewerage’, try our national website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/.

By Ed Hodson

Citizens Advice South Warwickshire - Citizens Advice working in partnership across Warwickshire