Martin Lewis urges millions of people to 'check now' and cut key household bill

07 February 2024 , 09:36

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Martin Lewis during his ITV broadcast this week (Image: ITV)

Martin Lewis has urged millions of households to check if they can save money by having a water meter installed.

Water meters measure the exact amount of water you use - this means what you pay is based on your consumption. Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV last night, Martin explained how you may be likely to benefit from a water meter if you have more or the same number of bedrooms in your house than people.

Martin recommended using the free calculator on the Consumer Council for Water website to see if you'd likely save money. One viewer wrote in and shared her success. Naomi said she was paying £90 a month for water but reduced her bill to £30.50 a month after getting a water meter installed.

Martin told his viewers: "April showers will cost more. Water bills and meters will rise an average of 6% in England and Wales. 20 out of 22 water and sewage firms are raising prices, the most is 20%. So you should check now whether you should be on a water meter.

"In England and Wales, this is the rule: If you have more or the same number of bedrooms than there are people, this one's got four bedrooms, two people therefore you're probably better on a water meter rather than a water bill which tends to be a rough approximation of how much you use [so a bigger house it will predict more].

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"The best way to do that is go to the Consumer Council for Water's website, it's got a decent calculator, and then look at how much you may be able to save on a water meter. Most water companies let you change back if you don't [save money] after a period of a year but do check how you're going to be doing on that particular one."

Water meters are free in England and Wales. You’ll need to speak to your water supplier and ask if they can install one for you. If a water company isn’t able to install one, you can ask for an assessed charge instead, which is normally based on the size and type of the property or the number of occupants.

The warning from Martin comes as water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by 6% on average from this April. The average household will see their yearly bill increase from £445 to £473, a rise of £27. Hafren Dyfrdwy customers will see the biggest percentage change, with the typical bill rising by 20% from £362 to £433 - an increase of £71.

Levi Winchester