WaterSure: who gets a capped water bill, and the 2027 change

WaterSure is a scheme that helps households on a water meter that have to use more water than usual. It caps your metered bill at the average household bill for your water company: even if you actually use more, you will not pay above the average. In some cases the cap is lower than the average and can more than halve the bill.

Who can claim WaterSure?

Three conditions must all be met. First, your home has a water meter (or you have applied for one). Second, you receive a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit. Third, one of two things applies — you receive Child Benefit for three or more children under 19 living with you, or you or a household member has a condition that needs a lot of water for medical reasons (these include, for example, incontinence, a stoma, severe skin conditions, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or kidney failure needing home dialysis).

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There are exclusions: the scheme does not apply if you water the garden with a non-handheld device such as a sprinkler or irrigation system, or if you have an auto-filling pool or pond holding more than 10,000 litres.

How do you apply and how often renew?

You apply through your water company — find the form and conditions on its website. Once approved, you must confirm your eligibility again every 12 months. Wales has similar support (WaterSure Wales / Welsh Water Assist).

What changes from 2027?

On 6 March 2026 the government announced a WaterSure reform. From early 2027 in England, households on disability benefits — PIP, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance — will become eligible for the first time if they use a lot of water for medical reasons and household income is below £25,745 a year. A doctor's note will no longer be required. The cap will be set at the lowest available average, and single-person households will have a cap based on one person's use.

The government estimates the help will reach about 300,000 households: 260,000 receive WaterSure now, and the reform adds around 53,000 more. About 130,000 multi-occupant households will save an average of £26 a year. The changes are mandatory in England and voluntary in Wales.

What if you do not qualify for WaterSure?

Help does not stop there. Many water companies run social tariffs with a discount for low-income households, along with debt write-off schemes and charitable trust funds for people struggling to pay. It is also worth checking whether a meter would be cheaper: for small households and single occupants, metered billing is often lower than a fixed charge. You can find your water company and the schemes available through its website or the Water UK tool.