Most householders pay a fixed amount for their water and sewerage services based on the rateable value of their home. For this, they receive an unlimited supply of water for domestic use. Waste water is then taken away and cleaned up. These customers cannot affect the size of their bill by changing the amount of water used.

An increasing number of households (expected to be 22% in 2001-02) receive a metered supply, ie they pay for water in relation to the amount they use. Most newly connected properties are now metered.

Many more customers could benefit from having a meter because they would pay only for the water they use. Under the Water Industry Act 1999, all household customers (including tenants with a tenancy of more than six months) now have the right to opt for a meter free of initial charge providing fitting is not unreasonably expensive.

Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, especially in the South and East of England. Your company can give you advice about ways to help you use water wisely. Many issue free cistern devices and have other initiatives which can help you cut the amount of water used in your home and garden. All of the companies have a duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers. Ofwat ensures that the companies do that, checks their performance and publishes details. Choosing water efficient appliances when replacing old machines (such as dishwashers and washing machines) also helps to reduce the amount of water used in the home.

Metering can play an important part in water conservation as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to expensive resource development. Metering can have a direct impact on demand for water, especially at peak periods, when it can reduce demand by up to 30%. For this reason, most companies now have policies to meter customers who use sprinklers. Metering also helps to detect leaks and so reduces wastage.

Taking a shower:                                                      Taking a bath:

Assuming 35 litres of water: 5p                                  Assuming 80 litres of water: 10p
Heating the water: 9p                                                   Heating the water: 20p

Using a washing machine:                                     Using a dishwasher:

Assuming 65 litres of water: 8p                                   Assuming 25 litres of water: 3p
Using the machine (including heating                         Using the machine (including heating
some of the water): 20p                                                some of the water: 16p 

Flushing the toilet:                                                    Watering the garden:

Assuming 7.5 to 9.5 litres of water: 1p                       Assuming a hosepipe for one hour
                                                                                        uses approximately 540 litres of
                                                                                        water: 70p

Daily newspaper                                                                                  30-85p

One pint of milk                                                                                    26-34p

Litre of sparkling bottled water                                                           68-89p

A day's TV                                                                                                  30p

Where does your money go?

The examples of water use given here compare the cost of water and sewerage services with other expenses and give you a guide to what you get for your money.

These figures are based on an average cost per litre of 0.13 pence for water supplied and taken away. They are only a guide as charges may vary from company to company and, in practice, may be more or less than the examples given.

In April 2001, household customers will see an average reduction to their bills of 0.9% (excluding inflation). Average bills for water and sewerage range from £194 (Thames Water Utilities Ltd) to £313 (South West Water Ltd).

The cost of electricity for using the appliances and heating the water is based on an effective price of 7.9 pence per kilowatt-hour. This will vary across households depending on gas and electricity tariffs, the mix of fuels used and energy efficiency.

Average water use is around 358 litres (79 gallons) per household per day. This is around 149 litres (33 gallons) per person.