Water Meter vs Rateable Value UK: Which Saves You More Money?

Properties without a meter pay a fixed amount based on the rateable value — an old assessment of the property's rental value from before 1990. This means a large house with one occupant might pay the same as a smaller house with four occupants. Your bill doesn't change regardless of how much water you actually use. This is obviously unfair in both directions — some people pay too much, others too little.

The rule of thumb: if there are fewer people in your home than bedrooms, a water meter is likely to save you money. A single person in a three-bedroom house, for example, will almost certainly save. If your household uses less water than average (because you take short showers, don't water a garden, etc.), a meter will likely be cheaper. If you have a large family with high water usage (baths, garden irrigation, lots of laundry), rateable value might still be cheaper.

In England and Wales, you have the right to request a water meter installation for free in most circumstances. Contact your water company and request installation — it typically takes a few weeks to schedule. In areas where meters are compulsory (many water companies are rolling these out), you'll be switched automatically. Most water companies allow a 12-month trial period: if after 12 months you're paying more with the meter, you can switch back to rateable value billing.

Once you're on a meter, every drop you save is money saved. The biggest wins: fix dripping taps (a dripping tap wastes 5,500 litres/year), install a water-efficient showerhead, only run the dishwasher and washing machine when full, use a water butt for garden watering (free water), and take showers rather than baths. Most water companies also offer free water-saving devices including hippo bags for toilet cisterns, shower timers, and low-flow taps.