Financial support and advice

You can check to see if you can reduce you water bill and maybe consider a water meter. If United Utilities cannot install a water meter they may be able to place you on a reduced / assumed tariff.

If you have a cold-water supply, it must meet the quality standards set in the Water Supply Regulations 2000.

Saving money on water bills

If you’re looking to save money on your water bills, United Utilities has lots of options. You can save £5 each year if you set up a direct debit payment plan.

You can also save another £5 a year if you sign up to paperless billing, which is also amazing for the environment.

More information can be found on the United Utilities website.

Pension credit

If you receive pension credit, United Utilities also have a scheme called ‘Help to Pay’ which caps your bills at £250. Alongside this, there is an Arrears Allowance Scheme to support you in getting back on track with paying your bills. 

More information about these schemes can be found on the United Utilities website.

Trust fund

United Utilities also have a trust fund to help people meet other essential bills, household needs, or priority debts, like energy, gas and electric bills. You would need to contact them directly or complete their application form. More information about this can be found on the United Utilities website.

Water quality tests

The Drinking Water Inspectorate conduct regular quality tests so it’s useful to prevent bacterial growth and contamination of your water wherever you can. You can do this by following the advice below:

• if you have a domestic hot water cylinder in your home, please make sure to keep the thermostat set to 60ºc as bacteria can multiply at lower temperatures
• if you’re away from home for a long period of time, like a holiday or hospital stay, your water may deteriorate
• when you get home, heat up your system to your normal temperature, open each tap, and run for at least five minutes - cold taps should be flushed until the water runs cold
• you can clean tap sprouts by wiping with a dilute bleach solution and dislodge heavily scaled or contaminated taps using a nylon brush
• it’s vital to clean your shower head regularly (if you have one), and make sure that a hose-retaining ring is fitted to prevent the shower head falling into your bath water (please do not use rubber push-on shower hoses on bath taps)

We are here to help. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your energy or water supply, please contact us.

If your heating system is broken please report the repair to us.