Calculate your water and sewerage charges for North West England. United Utilities serves 7.3 million customers across Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire.
Calculate your 2025-26 water and sewerage charges:
United Utilities is the water and sewerage company serving 7.3 million people across North West England:
Population: 7.3 million customers served, largest water company by customer base after Thames Water (16M) and Severn Trent (8M). Coverage area: 12,800 km² North West England.
| Charge Type | 2024-25 Rate | 2025-26 Rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Standing Charge | £23.99/year | £24.46/year | +£0.47 (2%) |
| Water Volumetric Rate | £2.164/m³ | £2.733/m³ | +£0.569 (26%!) |
| Sewerage Standing Charge | £3.97/year | £4.07/year | +£0.10 (3%) |
| Foul Drainage Rate | £1.620/m³ | £2.082/m³ | +£0.462 (29%!) |
| Surface Water Drainage | £82.42/year | £104.85/year | +£22.43 (27%) |
| Highway Drainage | £35.55/year | £45.49/year | +£9.94 (28%) |
| Typical 100 m³ household: 2024-25 £374 → 2025-26 £460 = +£86 (23%) | |||
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Biggest increase is volumetric usage charges, NOT standing charges:
| Charge Type | 2024-25 Rate | 2025-26 Rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Standing Charge | £80.22/year | £101.48/year | +£21.26 (27%) |
| Water RV Multiplier | £1.329 per £RV | £1.668 per £RV | +£0.339 (26%) |
| Foul Sewerage | £193.77/year | £247.35/year | +£53.58 (28%) |
| Surface Water Drainage | £82.42/year | £104.85/year | +£22.43 (27%) |
| Highway Drainage | £35.55/year | £45.49/year | +£9.94 (28%) |
| Typical £150 RV household: 2024-25 £591 → 2025-26 £752 = +£161 (27%) | |||
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Fixed annual charges for properties where meter cannot be installed:
| Property Type | Water | Sewerage | Total 2025-26 | vs 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Person | £143.57 | £252.01 | £395.58 | +£84.49 (27%) |
| Terraced/Flat | £233.44 | £317.03 | £550.47 | +£114.68 (26%) |
| Semi-Detached | £313.52 | £374.19 | £687.71 | +£138.99 (25%) |
| Detached | £353.49 | £402.79 | £756.28 | +£156.84 (26%) |
| Larger Premises | £683.66 | £638.64 | £1,322.30 | +£271.03 (26%) |
| Single Pensioner | £132.01 | £244.35 | £376.36 | +£79.47 (27%) |
| Two Pensioners | £217.68 | £305.74 | £523.42 | +£110.07 (27%) |
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Ofwat approved steep bill increases for United Utilities to fund infrastructure investment:
Total increase 2024-2030: £119/year (32% rise) from £374 to £493 average bill. Most increase frontloaded to 2025-26 (£86 jump), then steady £31/year rises.
United Utilities claims bill increases fund £13 billion infrastructure program 2025-2030:
Customer anger: United Utilities paid shareholders £2.5 billion dividends while underinvesting in infrastructure:
| Method | How It Works | Frequency | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Debit (Monthly) | Fixed monthly amount spread over 12 months | 12 payments/year | Spread costs evenly, automatic, can adjust amount |
| Direct Debit (Half-yearly) | Pay exact bill amount twice per year | April + October | Pay only when billed, no credit build-up |
| Online/App Payment | Debit/credit card via website or My Account app | When billed | Control over timing, instant confirmation |
| Telephone | Call 0345 672 3723 automated or customer service | When billed | Speak to advisor if questions |
| Post Office | Cash or card at any Post Office with bill reference | Anytime | No internet needed, cash option |
| Bank Transfer | Manual transfer to United Utilities account | Flexible | Use own banking app/website |
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Note: United Utilities does NOT offer Direct Debit discount (unlike energy suppliers). All payment methods charged same amount - no financial incentive for DD, but recommended for convenience spreading costs monthly.
Should you switch to water meter or stay unmetered rateable value?
Meter typically cheaper if:
Example savings: Single person in £180 RV 3-bed semi: Unmetered £752/year vs Metered using 50 m³ £325/year = SAVES £427/year with meter!
Stay unmetered if:
Example: Family of 5 in £80 RV terraced: Unmetered £384/year vs Metered using 200 m³ £585/year = SAVES £201/year staying unmetered.
Free meter trial: Request FREE water meter installation, try for 24 months. If bills higher than unmetered, switch back FREE within 24 months. No risk! Call 0345 672 3723 to request.
Vulnerable customers get extra support and protections:
United Utilities has BETTER customer service ratings than most water companies:
Overview 2025-26: United Utilities serves 7.3 million customers North West England covering Greater Manchester (entire metro), Merseyside (Liverpool region), Lancashire (Blackpool to Lancaster), Cumbria (Carlisle to Lake District), most Cheshire (NOT Chester), parts Derbyshire (High Peak). 12,800 km² coverage, 42,000 km water mains, 77,000 km sewers, 96 water treatment works, 597 wastewater works, 100+ reservoirs including Lake District sources Thirlmere Haweswater Windermere plus Lake Vyrnwy Wales. Third-largest UK water company by customers after Thames 16M and Severn Trent 8M.
Charges 2025-26 SHARP increases: Metered £24.46 standing + £2.733/m³ water (up 26% volumetric!), £4.07 standing + £2.082/m³ foul sewerage (up 29%!), £104.85 surface + £45.49 highway drainage = typical 100 m³ household £460/year (up £86 from £374 = 23% single year!). Unmetered £101.48 standing + £1.668 per RV water (up 26%), £247.35 foul + £104.85 surface + £45.49 highway = typical £150 RV £752/year (up £161 = 27%). Assessed charges: single person £396, terraced/flat £550, semi-detached £688, detached £756, larger £1,322, pensioner single £376, two £523 - all up 25-27% from 2024-25. Biggest increases volumetric USAGE charges NOT standing charges - high-usage families hit hardest.
Future increases 32% by 2030: Timeline 2024-25 £374 → 2025-26 £460 (+£86, 23%) → 2026-27 £491 (+£31) → 2027-28 £522 (+£31) → 2028-29 £553 (+£31) → 2029-30 £493 projected = total £119 increase 32% over 5 years. Most increase frontloaded 2025-26 (£86 jump) then steady £31/year. Ofwat approved funding £13 billion infrastructure: £3.8B sewage treatment reduce discharges 45%, £3.2B leakage fix 428M liters/day lost target 14% by 2030, £2.4B drinking water quality stricter standards, £1.8B resilience climate change, £1.2B customer service smart meters, £0.6B renewable energy 50% carbon cut.
Dividend controversy: United Utilities paid £2.5 billion dividends shareholders 2015-2025 (£1.4B 2015-2020 + £1.1B 2020-2025) while underinvesting infrastructure leakage high sewage overflows. Critics argue shareholders profited £2.5B now CUSTOMERS funding £13B catch-up investment fix decades neglect unfair. Company defense dividends from profits separate investment funded bills + borrowing but reality customers pay higher bills while shareholders enjoyed returns.
Payment & meter switching: No Direct Debit discount (all payment methods same price unlike energy). Methods: DD monthly spread 12 payments, DD half-yearly April + October exact bill, online/app debit/credit card, phone 0345 672 3723, Post Office cash/card, bank transfer. Meter vs unmetered: Meter cheaper if fewer people than bedrooms OR high RV £200+ OR water-conscious (single person £180 RV £752 unmetered vs £325 metered 50 m³ SAVES £427/year). Unmetered cheaper large family low RV (5 people £80 RV £384 unmetered vs £585 metered 200 m³ SAVES £201 staying unmetered). FREE meter trial 24 months switch back FREE if higher bills no risk call 0345 672 3723.
Financial support schemes: WaterSure Plus caps metered £435/year 3+ children medical + benefits 0800 072 6765, Support Tariff 20-40% discount low-income means-tested £460 to £276-368/year, Payment Break 1-3 months pause during hardship repay later, Payment Plan spread arrears 12-24 months interest-free £10-40/month, Trust Fund grants up to £2,000 severe hardship no repayment StepChange/Citizens Advice apply, FREE Water Efficiency Visits install devices saves £50-120/year metered 0800 072 6765. Priority Services Register vulnerable 65+/disabled/chronic illness advance notice password scheme quarterly readings 0345 672 2999 FREE.
Customer service ABOVE average: 0345 672 3723 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 8am-1pm, emergencies same 24/7 leaks/bursts/sewage, WaterSure 0800 072 6765, meter requests 0345 672 2888, online www.unitedutilities.com/my-account bills readings payments, My Account app iOS/Android meter photo, email customerservice@uuplc.co.uk 5 days. Ratings: 3.8/5 satisfaction above 3.5 average, 3.2/5 Trustpilot 2,500 reviews "Average" BETTER than Southern 1.6 Thames 1.7, Citizens Advice 8th of 17 mid-table, 98 complaints per 10k vs 125 average = below average good. Verdict: decent service, reasonable response, helpful payment plans better than many competitors. Complaints: contact UU get reference, escalate 10 days if unresolved, deadlock 8 weeks, CCW 0121 345 1000 FREE help, WATRS arbitration watrs.org £10k compensation binding.
Bottom line: United Utilities average bill £460/year 2025-26 up £86 from £374 (23% single-year jump!) rising to £493 by 2029-30 (32% total over 5 years). Volumetric rates up 26-29% hit high-usage families hardest while standing charges only 2-3%. Bill increases fund £13B infrastructure investment sewage/leakage/quality BUT company paid £2.5B dividends shareholders 2015-2025 causing customer anger paying for catch-up underinvestment. Meter typically saves £200-400/year single person/couples high RV, unmetered cheaper large families low RV - FREE 24-month meter trial no risk. WaterSure Plus caps £435 3+ children medical, Support Tariff 20-40% discount low-income, payment plans 12-24 months spread arrears, Trust Fund £2k grants severe hardship. Customer service 3.8/5 above industry average 3.2/5 Trustpilot BETTER than Southern/Thames decent performance. North West coverage 7.3M customers Greater Manchester Merseyside Lancashire Cumbria Cheshire High Peak - third-largest UK after Thames Severn Trent. Sharp 2025-26 increases painful but steady £31/year 2026-2030 more predictable, support schemes available struggling households, meter switch potentially major savings low-usage check eligibility.