WaterSure Scheme 2026: Who Can Get Help With Water Bills?

Water bills can become difficult to manage when a household needs to use more water because of a medical condition or because several children live at home.

The WaterSure scheme can help some metered households in England by limiting how much they are charged. It is not available to everyone, and the application rules are specific.

What is WaterSure?

WaterSure is a support scheme for households that:

• Have a water meter
• Receive certain means-tested benefits
• Use more water because of a qualifying medical condition or because they have a large family

If accepted, your water company limits your bill under the scheme rather than charging you for all your measured usage in the normal way.

The precise bill level depends on the rules and your water company. It is not a fixed cash payment.

The consumer council CCW explains the current WaterSure rules.

Who can qualify?

To qualify under the current rules, you generally need to meet all three parts of the test.

1. You must have a water meter

WaterSure is designed for households whose bills are based on measured water use. If you are on an unmetered bill, ask your water company whether another support scheme or tariff applies.

2. Someone in the household must receive a qualifying benefit

CCW lists the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit

The benefit may be received by someone living in the household, but your water company will confirm the evidence it needs.

3. Your household must use extra water for an accepted reason

You may qualify if either:

• You receive Child Benefit for three or more children under 19 who live with you
• Someone in the household has a medical condition that requires substantially more water

Which medical conditions may qualify?

CCW lists conditions including:

• An abdominal stoma
• Crohn’s disease
• Desquamation, or flaky skin loss
• Incontinence
• Renal failure requiring home dialysis where the local health authority does not contribute to the water cost
• Ulcerative colitis
• Weeping skin disease such as eczema, psoriasis or a varicose ulcer

The list is not a general statement that any health condition qualifies. The condition must cause additional water use, and your water company may ask for supporting evidence.

If you are unsure, contact your water company or ask a medical professional what evidence may be appropriate. Do not send medical information to an unofficial website.

What does not usually qualify?

WaterSure is not intended to cover extra usage caused by lifestyle choices or optional equipment.

CCW specifically says you cannot apply because of high use from things such as:

• Garden sprinklers
• Swimming pools
• Ordinary garden watering
• Extra baths or showers that are not connected to a qualifying condition

The key question is why the household needs more water, not simply whether the bill is high.

How to apply for WaterSure

Step 1: Find your water company

Your bill should show the company that supplies your water and sewerage service. If you are unsure, use CCW’s water-company information or contact your local supplier.

Step 2: Check the basic conditions

Confirm that:

• You have a water meter
• Someone in the household receives a qualifying benefit
• You have three or more eligible children or a qualifying medical condition
• The extra water use is genuine and ongoing

Step 3: Ask what evidence is required

The company may ask for:

• Proof of the benefit
• Child Benefit information
• Medical confirmation
• Your meter details
• The names of people living at the address

Requirements can vary, so ask before sending documents.

Step 4: Submit the application directly

Apply through your water company’s official website, phone number or form. WaterSure is normally administered by the supplier, not by a third-party claims website.

Step 5: Check when the support starts

Ask whether the company can apply the support from the date of application, the date evidence is accepted or another date in its rules. Keep a copy of what you submit.

What happens if your application is refused?

Ask the company to explain why.

You may have been refused because:

• The property is not metered
• The benefit evidence was incomplete
• The medical condition did not meet the scheme test
• The extra water use was not sufficiently connected to the condition
• The children’s ages or Child Benefit details did not meet the rules
• The application was made to the wrong water company

If you think the decision is wrong, ask for a review or complaint process. CCW can provide consumer guidance if you cannot resolve the issue with the water company.

What about Wales?

Wales does not use exactly the same WaterSure arrangement as England.

CCW says the two Welsh water companies offer similar support through their own equivalent schemes on a voluntary basis. Contact your supplier and ask about its current affordability scheme rather than assuming the English rules apply.

What about future reforms?

In February 2026, the UK Government announced plans to increase both the number of households eligible for WaterSure and the level of support. CCW says changes are expected to take place in 2027.

Until the new rules are formally in force, use the current guidance and ask your supplier which rules apply to your application.

You can read the government announcement about the WaterSure reforms for the latest policy background.

Other ways to reduce a water bill

If WaterSure does not apply, check whether your water company offers:

• A social tariff
• An affordability scheme
• Debt support
• Payment arrangements
• A water-efficiency visit
• Free water-saving devices
• A meter calculator or advice service

If you are not on a meter, ask whether a meter would reduce your bill. Do not switch without first checking how your company calculates charges and whether there is a trial period or reversion option.

Our complete household-bills guide covers other ways to review recurring costs. You can also use our benefits and government support guide to check whether your household may qualify for wider help.

Frequently asked questions

Is WaterSure available to every household with a high bill?

No. You normally need a meter, a qualifying benefit and either three or more eligible children or a qualifying medical condition that increases water use.

Is WaterSure a cash payment?

No. It limits or caps the way your water bill is calculated. It is not money paid into your bank account.

Can I apply if I am not on a water meter?

The current scheme is for metered households. Ask your water company about other support if you are not metered.

Can a child’s medical condition qualify?

Possibly, if the condition causes extra water use and the household meets the other requirements. Ask the supplier what evidence is needed.

Should I apply through a third-party website?

No. Start with your water company or CCW. Be cautious of anyone asking for payment or unnecessary medical information.

The bottom line

WaterSure can be valuable for eligible metered households whose bills are high because of a large family or a qualifying medical condition. It is not a general discount for anyone who uses a lot of water.

Check the meter, benefit and household conditions first, then apply directly through your water company and keep evidence of your application.

Information checked against CCW and GOV.UK guidance in September 2026. The scheme is expected to change in 2027, so confirm the current rules before applying.

Cover image: Franco Debartolo via Unsplash.