All Articles
6 min read
Water bill help for disabled households: could the WaterSure scheme save you £325 a year?
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
March 11, 2026
Last reviewed: 11 March 2026
Applies to: England and Wales
Written by: Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Water bills can be significantly higher for households managing disabilities or long term health conditions. Frequent washing, additional laundry, or medical treatments at home can all increase water use.
The WaterSure scheme was created to help households in this situation by capping their water bills if they have a water meter and meet certain eligibility rules. If you qualify, your bill is limited to the average cost for your area, even if your water usage is higher.
For many households this could mean saving around £325 per year, and upcoming reforms planned for 2027 aim to expand support and make the scheme easier for disabled households to access (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reduced-bills-for-around-300000-households-in-watersure-reform).
If you want to understand how financial support schemes like this fit alongside disability benefits, you can also explore the Purpl Disability Benefits Guide and Purpl Handbook, which explain many of the key schemes designed to support disabled households.
Why this matters for disabled people
Many disabilities and long term health conditions increase water use in the home.
For example:
- frequent bathing due to skin conditions such as eczema
- additional washing linked to incontinence or mobility needs
- hygiene needs connected to medical treatments
- digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Without support schemes like WaterSure, households in these situations could face much higher water bills simply because of unavoidable health needs.
Support organisations such as Citizens Advice and the Consumer Council for Water have highlighted that schemes like WaterSure exist to ensure people are not financially penalised for essential water use related to health conditions.
Purpl Insight: Many eligible households never apply for WaterSure because they simply do not know the scheme exists (https://www.ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/help-with-bills).
At a glance
- WaterSure caps water bills for households with higher water use due to medical needs or large families
- You usually need a water meter and certain benefits to qualify
- Average savings can be around £325 per year
- Over 260,000 households already receive support through the scheme
- Planned reforms expected from 2027 aim to expand eligibility and simplify access for disabled households
In this article
- Why this matters for disabled people
- What is the WaterSure scheme?
- Who can qualify for WaterSure
- How much you could save
- What changes are coming to WaterSure in 2027?
- How to apply for WaterSure
- Other help with water bills
- Frequently asked questions about WaterSure
What is the WaterSure scheme?
WaterSure is a national scheme designed to help households whose water use is higher than average because of medical needs or family size.
If you qualify, your water bill is capped at the average household charge for your area, meaning you will not pay more than that amount even if your usage is higher.
The scheme is operated by water suppliers across England and Wales under rules set by the government and regulators (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/).
Who was WaterSure designed for?
WaterSure mainly supports households where higher water use is unavoidable. This could include:
- medical conditions requiring frequent washing
- additional laundry linked to incontinence
- medical treatments requiring higher hygiene standards
- households with three or more children under 19
The scheme is particularly important for people whose health conditions increase their household costs.
Purpl Tip: If your water bill increased after installing a water meter, WaterSure may significantly reduce your costs if your household meets the eligibility rules.
Who can qualify for WaterSure?
To qualify for WaterSure, households normally need to meet three main criteria.
Receiving certain benefits
You must usually receive at least one qualifying benefit, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income based Employment and Support Allowance
Higher water use due to medical needs
You may qualify if someone in your household has a medical condition that requires higher water usage.
Having a water meter
Your home must normally have:
- a water meter installed, or
- be waiting for one to be installed.
If a meter cannot be fitted, water companies may apply an assessed charge instead. This is an alternative to your standard unmetered (usually rateable value) charge. You will not be offered an assessed charge unless you have applied for a meter first (https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/your-water-bill/assessed/).
Purpl Tip: Your water company can often check eligibility before you submit a full application.
How much you could save
Savings vary depending on where you live and which water company supplies your home.
However, the average saving from WaterSure is estimated to be around £325 per year according to government guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reduced-bills-for-around-300000-households-in-watersure-reform).
More than 260,000 households in England and Wales already receive help with their water bills through the WaterSure scheme.
Because the scheme caps your bill rather than applying a percentage discount, households with very high water use may save even more.
Purpl Insight: WaterSure can be particularly valuable for households where medical needs increase laundry, bathing or cleaning.
What changes are coming to WaterSure in 2027?
The UK government has announced reforms to the WaterSure scheme designed to improve support and make it easier for more households to access help.
These reforms are expected to come into effect from 2027 as part of wider water affordability changes.
Planned improvements include:
- expanding support so tens of thousands more households could qualify
- simplifying the application process for households with medical needs
- removing some administrative barriers, such as the need for medical certification in certain cases
- improving how bill caps are calculated so households receive more consistent support
The reforms are part of a wider plan to expand help with water bills, with the government estimating the changes could extend support to around 300,000 households overall (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reduced-bills-for-around-300000-households-in-watersure-reform).
Regulators and consumer groups have supported reforms that make it easier for households with medical needs to access help (https://www.ccw.org.uk/news/watersure-reforms-extend-bill-support-to-thousands-more-households/).
Purpl Insight: Expanding the scheme could mean many households that were previously ineligible may qualify once the changes take effect.
How to apply for WaterSure
Applications are made through your local water supplier.
The process usually involves:
- Visiting your water supplier’s website
- Completing a WaterSure application form
- Providing proof of benefits
- Confirming medical eligibility if required
Once approved, the bill cap is applied directly to your water account.
You can find your water supplier using the Consumer Council for Water website (https://www.ccw.org.uk/advice-and-support/households/water-companies/).
Purpl Tip: Many water companies now allow applications online, which can make the process much quicker.
Other help with water bills
If you do not qualify for WaterSure, you may still be able to get help with your water costs.
Many water companies offer:
- social tariffs for low income households
- payment plans for people struggling with bills
- hardship funds to reduce outstanding balances
If WaterSure does not apply to your situation, it is still worth contacting your water supplier to ask about other support schemes that may be available. Many companies offer additional help such as social tariffs, payment plans or hardship funds for customers struggling with bills.
Citizens Advice also explains the different ways households may be able to get help with water bills, including WaterSure and other support schemes offered by water suppliers (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/).
If you are struggling with household costs, you may also find our guide to financial crisis support for disabled people helpful.
Purpl Tip: Water companies often have multiple support schemes, so it is worth asking what other help is available.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about WaterSure
What is the WaterSure scheme?
WaterSure is a scheme that caps water bills for households whose water use is higher due to medical conditions or large families.
Do you need a water meter to qualify for WaterSure?
Yes. Most households must have a water meter installed or be waiting for installation to qualify.
How much can WaterSure save?
The average saving is around £325 per year, although this depends on your water company and location.
Can disabled people qualify for WaterSure?
Yes. Households where medical conditions increase water usage may qualify if they receive certain benefits and have a water meter.
When will the WaterSure changes happen?
Government reforms aimed at expanding the scheme and simplifying access are expected to begin from 2027.
In summary
Water bills can be significantly higher for households managing disabilities or long term health conditions.
The WaterSure scheme helps protect these households by capping water bills, ensuring they do not pay more than the average cost in their area even if their water use is higher.
With planned improvements expected from 2027, even more households may be able to access support.
If your household uses more water because of medical needs, checking your eligibility for WaterSure could help reduce your annual utility costs.
About the author
Georgina is the founder of Purpl, a platform that helps disabled people and those with long term health conditions save money through verified discounts, financial guidance and accessible support.
After experiencing the financial pressures that often come with living with a disability, Georgina launched Purpl to make it easier for people to access the savings, benefits information and everyday support they are entitled to. Through Purpl, she works with brands and organisations to improve accessibility and reduce the extra costs that many disabled households face.
Georgina regularly writes about disability benefits, cost of living support and accessible savings to help the disabled community navigate everyday financial challenges.
Other articles, or links, you might find useful:
Financial Crisis Support Across the UK
What is the priority services register and who can apply?
Scope Disability Energy Support for Disabled People
EDF Warm Home Discount Scheme: Energy Help and Support for Vulnerable Households
How to Get Help When Energy Bills Rise
Council Tax Discounts for Disabled People: The Support Most Don’t Know Exists
