WaterSure reform: 300,000 households set for lower water bills from 2027

The Government has announced the biggest update to the WaterSure scheme in almost 30 years. The changes mean about 300,000 low‑income households will get lower water bills from early 2027. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “Vulnerable households are particularly affected by cost-of-living pressures, including water bills.    

“Reforming WaterSure will make a meaningful difference to hundreds of thousands of families who need support the most.”   

WaterSure already helps homes that use a lot of water for essential reasons. Today, around 260,000 households get support, saving an average of £325 a year, which is over a third of a typical bill. 

But now, thousands more households will qualify and many people already on the scheme will save even more. 

What is WaterSure? 

WaterSure helps people on low incomes who need to use a lot of water. Bills are capped, so households don’t pay more than a set amount, even if they use extra water for medical or family reasons. 

Right now, you can apply if: 

• You have a water meter (or are waiting for one to be fitted) 

• You use a high amount of water because you have three or more children under 19 or a medical condition that requires extra water  

• Someone in the home gets certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Child Tax Credit and others 

What’s changing under the new rules? 

The reforms introduce eligibility changes designed to make WaterSure fairer and easier to access. 

More people will qualify 

For the first time, people on the following disability benefits will be eligible: 

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) 

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 

• Attendance Allowance 

People on these benefits must still need higher water use for medical reasons, and household income must be below £25,745. This change alone means 53,000 more households will now qualify. 

Fairer bill caps 

Right now, companies use different ways to set the cap. Some use their average bill for all customers, while others use only metered readings, which are usually lower. 

The new rules mean companies must use the lowest possible average bill, whichever figure is lower in their area. 

Extra support depending on household size 

The new system also adjusts caps based on how many people live in the home: 

• Single‑person households will pay only the average bill for one person and around 53,000 single households are expected to save around £100 

• Households with more than one occupant will save an average of £126 a year, and about 130,000 households fall into this group 

When will the new rules start? 

The reforms are set to come into force in early 2027. They will be mandatory in England and voluntary in Wales. The changes will be funded by a small increase of £1.14 on the bills of other water customers. 

Why is this happening? 

The Government says WaterSure needs updating to better support vulnerable families facing rising living costs. It’s part of a wider plan to: 

• Restore public trust in water companies 

• Roll out smart meters to help people track and cut their use 

• Introduce water‑efficiency labels on appliances 

Charities including the Consumer Council for Water, Scope, and the Money Advice Trust have all welcomed the changes. They say disabled families and people with long‑term conditions often have no choice but to use more water and these reforms will make a real difference. 

Key takeaways 

• Around 300,000 low‑income households will get lower water bills when the new WaterSure rules start in early 2027. 

• 53,000 more households will qualify because disability benefits (DLA, PIP and Attendance Allowance) are being added to the scheme. 

• WaterSure bill caps will be fairer, with companies required to use the lowest average bill when setting the cap. 

• Single‑person households will save about £100, while larger households will save an average of £126 a year. 

• The changes aim to better support vulnerable families facing rising costs and form part of wider Government plans to improve trust, efficiency and affordability in the water system.