Does every house have a water meter?

Not every home has a water meter. In England and Wales, around 60% of households are fitted with a meter, which means many homes still receive water bills based on a fixed rate, rather than actual use. Homes built after 1990 usually have meters installed automatically, but many older properties do not.

Most water companies are installing water meters for the majority of households they supply, to help secure vital resources for the future as supplies come under pressure from climate change, population growth and the need to protect our environment. This is because households on a water meter tend to use about 10 to 20% less water. Contact your local water company to find out when they are installing water meters in your area, if you don’t have one already. Meters currently being installed are more likely to be smart meters.

There are a few reasons why a house might not have a meter. Some older homes were built before meters became standard, while flats or properties with shared water supplies may not be able to accommodate one due to plumbing limitations. Practical issues, such as inaccessible pipework or limited space for installation, can also prevent a meter from being fitted.

Homeowners in England and Wales usually have the right to request a meter if you don’t have one already and they are not currently being installed in your area. Water companies are required to install one free of charge, unless it is impractical or would be too expensive.

Whether a household benefits from a meter depends on water use. Houses with single or few occupants, or those who use water carefully, may reduce their bills by switching to a meter. Larger households with high water consumption, however, may find it more cost-effective to stay on a fixed-rate system. Use the Consumer Council for Water’s calculator to find out if you are likely to save. You can also save money on your wastewater and energy bills by using less water.

Water meters in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland

In Scotland, most households do not have a water meter and are charged a fixed rate for water and sewerage services. Unmetered domestic charges are included in and collected with the Council Tax bill. The amount you pay is based on the Council Tax band of your property, not how much water you use.

In Scotland, a householder who wants a water meter must apply to Scottish Water and pay the full costs of installation. This includes the survey fee, labour and any necessary plumbing or building work. This often makes switching to a meter only cost-effective for households with very low water consumption that are in a high Council Tax band.

Northern Ireland

The rules in Northern Ireland are unique within the UK because domestic households do not pay separate water or sewerage charges. Water and sewerage services are funded through the rates system (the Northern Ireland equivalent of Council Tax) and general taxation, not direct bills to the household.

Since there is no domestic water charge based on consumption, there is no financial benefit to having a meter installed. In 2016, the installation of water meters in new domestic properties was formally stopped by legislation, reinforcing the policy of no domestic water charging.