Vulnerable households facing financial hardship may be able to slash their water bill by up to half.
As the cost of living crisis deepens and energy bills soar massively, Northumbrian Water is offering help for families struggling to make ends meet.
On average, the annual water bill in the UK and Wales is £400, and unlike other utility suppliers, you can't change water companies if you're not happy with the prices or the service.
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Northumbrian Water supplies nearly three million customers, covering 9,400km sq, from Berwick in the north down to Teesside in the South.
All customers are billed using one of two systems - either via traditional water rates or by water meters, which became compulsory in all new properties from 1990 onwards.
However, if your house was built before then, you can still apply for a water meter to be fitted if you think it would save you money.
What is a water meter and how does it work?
A water meter is a little device on your water supply which measures the amount of water going into your home.
You supply readings from the water meter display to ensure accuracy, and Northumbrian Water calls to take a meter reading once a year to ensure the bill is correct.
The readings help track your usage, so your water bill is as accurate as possible.
Can it save me money?
Generally, if there are fewer people living in the house than there are bedrooms, you will probably save money by having a water meter fitted.
So if you are a couple living in a four-bedroomed house, it is probably worth your while to make the switch.
With a water meter, you pay for the water you use rather than using the Rateable Value of your home, which traditional water rates use.
If you have a meter, you become more aware of your usage, and the less you use, the less you pay.
I'm paying more since I had my meter fitted
If you choose to get a water meter, you have up to two years to change your mind.
You cannot remove the water meter from the property, but your water bill will switch back to an unmetered one.
If you move out, and someone else moves in, they will be charged based on the meter, and the water they use.
If you have tried to save water where you can but are still struggling, Northumbrian Water has a few ways to help families pay their bills, depending on your circumstances and household income.
Watersure
This scheme is for low-income families who have a water meter but are worried about the cost of water they use.
Watersure caps your metered charges, so if you need to use more water than average, for reasons that can't be helped, you won't be charged.
Instead, the bill is based on the average charge of a similar home.
To quality, you must receive at least one of the following benefits:
- Pension credit
- Income Support
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit (not including family element-only claimants)
- Housing Benefit, or
- Universal Credit.
And you must also have either:
- 3 or more children living with you at the property, or
- a member of the household living with a medical condition that means they must use lots of water.
To apply for Watersure, click here
SupportPlus
Northumbrian Water has three SupportPlus tariffs available, and they may be able to reduce your bill by 50%.
The tariffs are available if:
- your total household income is less than £16,385, and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments)
- a member of your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments), or
- your income is not enough to cover your essential bills - in this case, you'll need a financial assessment from an independent debt advice organisation, such as StepChange Debt Charity, along with your application.
Your total household income includes your benefits, such as universal credit and housing benefit, but does not include disability benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments Attendance Allowance and other disability payments.
You can start the application today, by emailing SupportPLUS@nwl.co.uk. or calling 0345 733 5566 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, 9am to 1pm.
Water Direct
If you've fallen behind with your payments, Water Direct can help you get back on track.
If you get a qualifying benefit and you're more than £50 behind on your payments, Water Direct can help you.
You'll fill in an application that Northumbrian Water sends to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
The DWP will decide if it can collect payments straight from your benefits, before they're paid to you, and the money will go towards paying off money owed, as well as your latest bill.
Any recovery action will also be stopped as long as you use Water Direct.
To qualify, you must receive one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Based Employment & Support Allowance
- Pension Credit, or
- Universal Credit.
Apply here or call 0345 733 5566.
If you don't qualify for any of the schemes, but are still struggling to pay, Northumbrian Water has a range of help available, including:
- Payment plan with affordable payments;
- Payment breaks, where it is needed
- Advice and support, especially if you're feeling stressed and anxious about money
- Referring you to expert third party services , to help you manage any debt.
