Our Charges

Last Mile Water Charging Scheme: Water Only Sites 2026-27
Last Mile Water Charging Scheme: Water and Wastewater Sites 2026-27
Last Mile Water Charging Scheme: Wastewater Only Sites 2026-27

The majority of properties we serve are supplied by a water meter. If you have a water meter we charge you on the amount of water recorded by your meter plus a fixed charge. The wastewater services part of the bill is also based on your meter readings.

We will send you a bill once every year based on an actual meter reading, taken whenever we can. If we send you an estimated bill, we will adjust your bill when the meter is next read. Or, if safe to do so, you can read your own meter and let us know your meter reading here. We’ll then send you an updated bill. You can also call us on 0333 000 0113 to submit your meter reading.

We aim to read your meter at least once a year, to ensure you receive at least 1 bill per year based on an actual meter reading rather than an estimate.

Most metered customers pay:

A charge for the quantity of water used, based on the amount of water used as measured by the water meter.

A standing (fixed) charge which covers the cost of reading and maintaining the meter.

A charge for water recycling is normally calculated using the same percentage used by the regional incumbent water and sewerage company in your area. This percentage reflects the amount of supplied water that is typically returned to the sewer.

If you believe that a lower percentage more accurately reflects your usage, meaning less of your water returns to the sewer, please contact us. We can review your circumstances and discuss whether a greater allowance is appropriate.

A standing charge for water recycling/ sewerage services, which cover the costs of maintaining the sewerage system and of disposing of any surface water drainage.

These charges should all be reflected on your bill.

Although no usage charges will apply to properties that are unoccupied, standing charges will still apply. These charges will continue to accrue unless a specific request has been submitted to us to turn off your supply.

If your property is not connected to a surface water drain, we will not charge you for this service. If you believe you are being incorrectly charged, then please call us on 0333 000 0113.

More information about meters, including how to take a meter reading and submit it to us, where your meter is located, can be found here.

If you don’t have a water meter at your property your bill is based on an unmetered charge basis.  This will usually be the chargeable (rateable) value of your property.

Some household charges are based on the Rateable Value (RV) of the property as at 31 March 1990, so part of the bill is based on a charge for each pound of the RV.

Unmetered customers pay:

• A charge for water based on RV
• A water standing charge
• A charge for water recycling (including sewerage) based on RV
• A water recycling (including sewerage) standing charge.

Although rateable values are no longer set by councils following abolition of the domestic rating system, we are still entitled to use the values previously fixed. Customers interested in switching to a meter should call our Billing Team on 0333 000 0113. If you asked to have a meter fitted and for some reason weren’t able to, you may be on our assessed household charge, based on your number of bedrooms.

There are a number of possible reasons your water bill could be higher than you expected.

• You might be using more water than you expect:
• You may have a problem with one of your appliances, such as a dripping tap or a washing machine flood.
• If you’ve had visitors to stay or someone else has moved into your property, the amount of water you used will have increased.
• Activities such as building, renovation or decorating could mean you have used more water than normal.
• Using a hosepipe or sprinkler will significantly increase the amount of water used. Using a water butt instead to collect rainwater you can reuse can help.
• Visit the CCW website to calculate your usage and start saving – click here
• If your meter reading is higher than usual it is possible that you have a leak. You are responsible for repairing any leakage on your supply pipe, although we can offer you useful advice on repairing such leaks. You can contact us on 0333 000 0113 so we can offer you advice and help in this respect.

If the leak is on our system, you may be entitled to a leakage allowance.  Details of how leaks are dealt with and how the leakage allowance works are contained in our Last Mile Water Services Last Mile Water Code of Practice – Leakage

• Have you checked the dates? Your current bill may cover a longer period of time than your previous bill.
• If you have noticed your Direct Debit payments have increased, it’s possible that your last bill was based on an estimate. If it was estimated too low, your current bill may include actual usage charges from previous periods, as well as the charge for your usage in this period.
• There could be an issue with your supply

If you still think your bill is higher than it should be, you might have a leaking pipe at your property.

Find out how to test for a leak

Bills for unmetered properties built before 1989 are based on the chargeable value of the property (also known as the rateable value). The chargeable value was set by the Valuation Office at the Inland Revenue and is not related to your council tax banding.

Water meters are generally recognised as the fairest way to pay for your water as you pay for the amount you use plus a fixed charge.