Need help to pay your water bill?

Struggling to pay your water bill? Southern Water might be able to help, from potential discounts and payment schemes to water-saving measures including home visits.

We know times are tough right now. The cost of living continues to increase, and energy prices are on the rise once again. For many, trying to make ends meet, especially at this time of year, can get a little overwhelming.

If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, there might be ways we can help.

Am I eligible for a discount on my bills?

You may be eligible for help with your water bill if some of the following circumstances apply to you:

- Your household income is low

- Someone you live with is on a means-tested benefit

- You’ve got three or more children under 19 living at home

- Someone living with you needs more water because of a medical condition

- You haven’t made a payment to us in a while

A range of payment schemes to help lighten the load

We offer a number of different schemes depending on your circumstances. Find out more below and then visit our website for more information and to fill in our online financial assistance form.

One of our specialist advisors will assess your claim and let you know if you’ve been accepted onto one of our payment schemes or tariffs:

WaterSure – The WaterSure scheme caps your bills if you have a water meter. If you’re on a low income and your property is fitted with a water meter, then we could help by putting a limit on your charges for water and wastewater services.

Water Direct – If you’re claiming Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Pension Credit, the Jobcentre Plus may consider paying us directly out of your benefits. If you have at least £50 arrears, Jobcentre Plus will take a fixed amount from your benefits to cover what you owe in arrears and your current charges.

NewStart – NewStart can help you pay off your water bill debt. You might qualify if you currently owe us money, or you haven’t made a payment in a while.

Essentials – Our Essentials Tariff is designed to help customers struggling to pay their water services charges. It provides a discount of at least 45% on future bills and a low-income pensioner discount. There are different options available depending on whether you receive both water and wastewater services from us, or just wastewater.

Head to our website to find out more about any of these schemes, and to check if you’re eligible.

Want to see if you can reduce your bill even further, and help the environment?

There are so many ways to save water, which in turn could save you money on your bills, reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment. It all makes a difference.

Our freebies can also help you save water and money:

Save-a-flush bags – If you have a pull-handle toilet, save each time you flush by popping a save-a-flush-bag in your cistern. They’re easy to fit and free for our customers.

Water-saving home visits – Apply for a free water-saving home visit and one of our engineers could pop over to share water-saving tips and fit up to £100 worth of water-efficient devices, there and then (you must receive both water and wastewater services from us to qualify).

GetWaterFit – Use our interactive GetWaterFit app to calculate how much you use, and then get tailored advice on how you can reduce your water consumption. Complete water-saving challenges to earn donations for local schools and charities too.

To learn more and discover other ways to save, head to our website at southernwater.co.uk/save-water.