How to Apply for a Water Meter
If you are currently on an unmetered water bill and think a meter might save you money, the process of switching is simpler than most people expect. Installation is free, it typically happens within a few weeks, and you can switch back within 12 months if your bills turn out to be higher.
This guide walks through the full application process — from checking whether a meter makes sense for you, through to what happens on installation day and what to expect on your first metered bill.
Water Meter vs Unmetered Calculator
Check whether a meter would save you money before applying — enter your current bill and estimated usage to see the comparison.
Compare Now →Step 1 — Check Whether a Meter Is Likely to Save You Money
Before applying, it is worth running a quick comparison. The general rule is that a meter tends to save money for households with fewer occupants than bedrooms — particularly single people and couples in larger properties. Large households with high usage may pay more on a meter.
Use the Water Meter vs Unmetered Calculator to get an estimate based on your current bill and typical usage. If the comparison suggests a meter would save you money, or if you are unsure, it is still worth applying — you can switch back within 12 months if your bills turn out to be higher.
Step 2 — Find Your Water Company
You cannot choose your water supplier in England and Wales — it is determined by your address. Your water company's name will be on your current water bill. If you are unsure which company serves your area, the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has an online tool at ccwater.org.uk where you can look up your supplier by postcode.
The main water companies in England and Wales are:
| Company | Region |
|---|---|
| Thames Water | London and Thames Valley |
| Severn Trent | Midlands and Wales border |
| United Utilities | North West England |
| Yorkshire Water | Yorkshire and Humberside |
| Anglian Water | East and East Midlands |
| Southern Water | Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight |
| South West Water | Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset |
| Northumbrian Water | North East England |
| Wessex Water | Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol |
| Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) | Wales and some border areas |
| Portsmouth Water | Portsmouth and parts of Hampshire/Sussex |
Step 3 — Make Your Application
Contact your water company and request a meter installation. Most suppliers offer three ways to apply:
- Online — most water companies have an online meter application form on their website, usually under "My Account" or "Water Meters"
- By phone — call your supplier's customer service line and ask to apply for a water meter
- By post — request an application form and return it completed. Less common but still an option with most suppliers
Under Ofwat regulations, water companies in England must begin measuring your supply within 8 weeks of your request. Most installations happen significantly faster than this.
Step 4 — The Survey
After your application, your water company will arrange a survey to confirm that a meter can be fitted at your property. This is typically done within 15 working days of your application. The surveyor will assess:
- Whether your property has a suitable supply pipe for meter installation
- Where the meter will be positioned — usually at or near the boundary of your property, often in the footpath or just inside the front boundary
- Whether any excavation is needed, for example if a new boundary box is required
In most cases the meter can be installed on the same visit as the survey. If additional work is needed — such as a new boundary box — installation can take a further 15 working days from the survey date.
What If a Meter Cannot Be Fitted?
In some cases a water meter cannot be installed — for example in certain types of flat with shared supply pipes, or properties with very old or inaccessible pipework. If your supplier cannot fit a meter they are required under Ofwat rules to offer you an assessed charge instead. An assessed charge is based on an estimate of your likely usage — taking into account your household size, property type and typical consumption patterns — rather than your actual meter readings. It is not the same as a meter but moves you away from the rateable value system.
Step 5 — Installation Day
A technician will fit the meter, usually at your property boundary or sometimes inside the property. The installation typically takes under an hour for a straightforward fitting. You will be shown how to read your meter — it displays cumulative m³ consumed, like an odometer. Take a note of the reading immediately after installation so you have a baseline for your first bill.
Smart meters are increasingly being installed instead of traditional meters, particularly in areas where water companies are rolling them out as standard. A smart meter transmits readings automatically, eliminating estimated bills and allowing you to monitor usage in real time through your supplier's app.
Step 6 — Your First Metered Bill
You should receive your first metered water bill within 6 months of installation. It will show:
- Your opening meter reading (taken at installation)
- Your current meter reading
- Your consumption in m³ for the period
- The water supply charge (m³ × your supplier's rate)
- The sewerage charge (typically 95% of metered supply × sewerage rate)
- The annual standing charge apportioned to the billing period
If your first bill seems unexpectedly high, check whether it includes an estimated reading — take your own reading and submit it to your supplier to correct any inaccuracy. For a walkthrough of how to read a water bill see our guide on How to Read Your Water Bill.
The 12-Month Switch-Back Right
If you requested the installation and your metered bills are higher than your previous unmetered bills, you have the right to switch back to unmetered billing within 12 months at no charge. Contact your water company to request this — they are required to revert you to your previous billing method.
This right applies only if you requested the meter installation yourself. If a meter was already in place when you moved into the property, the right to switch back to unmetered billing does not apply.
Renters — What You Need to Know
Tenants have the right to apply for a water meter. If you have a fixed-term tenancy of more than 6 months, your landlord cannot prevent you from having a meter installed — but their consent may be needed as the installation involves work on the property. For tenancies of less than 6 months you must ask your landlord's permission before applying.
It is good practice to inform your landlord before applying regardless of tenancy length, and to check your tenancy agreement for any relevant clauses about alterations to the property.
WaterSure — If You Are Worried About High Bills
If you are concerned that a meter will result in higher bills because of unavoidably high water use — for example due to a medical condition or because you have three or more children under 19 — you may qualify for the WaterSure scheme. WaterSure caps your metered bill at the average unmetered bill for your water company, regardless of how much you use. To qualify you also need to be receiving a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or income-based JSA. Contact your water company to find out if you are eligible and how to apply before having a meter fitted.
Related Tools
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a water meter?
Contact your water company online, by phone or by post and request a meter installation. They will arrange a survey, typically within 15 working days, and install the meter — usually within 8 weeks of your request under Ofwat rules. It is free of charge.
Is a water meter free?
Yes. Under the Water Industry Act 1999, most households in England and Wales have the right to a free water meter installation. There is no charge for a standard installation at your property boundary.
How long does installation take?
Under Ofwat rules, your supplier must begin measuring your supply within 8 weeks. A survey is typically arranged within 15 working days and the meter installed shortly after. If a new boundary box is required it can take a further 15 working days from the survey date.
Can I switch back if my bills go up?
Yes — if you requested the installation and your bills are higher, you can revert to unmetered billing within 12 months at no charge. This right applies only if you asked for the meter — not if it was already fitted when you moved in.
Can I apply as a tenant?
Yes. Tenants have the right to apply for a water meter. For fixed-term tenancies over 6 months a landlord cannot stop you, but consent may be needed to carry out work on the property. Inform your landlord before applying regardless of tenancy length.
What if a meter cannot be fitted at my property?
If your supplier cannot fit a meter due to technical reasons — for example a shared supply pipe in a flat — they must offer you an assessed charge instead, based on an estimate of your likely usage rather than your rateable value.
Summary
- Applying for a water meter is free and straightforward — contact your water company online, by phone or by post
- Under Ofwat rules, your supplier must install the meter within 8 weeks of your request in England
- A survey is typically arranged within 15 working days and the installation follows shortly after
- If a meter cannot be fitted your supplier must offer an assessed charge alternative
- You can switch back to unmetered billing within 12 months if your bills are higher — provided you requested the installation
- Tenants have the right to apply — inform your landlord beforehand for tenancies of any length
- If high water use is unavoidable, check eligibility for WaterSure before applying
- To see whether a meter would save you money before applying, use the Water Meter vs Unmetered Calculator →