Your unmetered water bill explained

We’ve broken down your unmetered bill, to help answer any questions you might have. Below is an 2025/2026 example bill.

Bills will vary from customer to customer. For example if you’re paying by Direct Debit or according to the rateable value of your house. 

When you receive your bill, you see it’s is a joint bill from both Bristol Water and your sewerage provider. For most of our customers it will be Wessex Water. Bristol Water only supplies your fresh drinking water, so the water that you get from your taps in your home. Your sewerage service provider is responsible for taking water away from your house.

A: Customer number

Your customer number is a unique number that has been assigned to your account. It's helpful to have this number to hand, if you call us or submit a form online.

B: Payment reference

If you want to make a payment online or by phone, you will need to quote this number to ensure the payment is allocated to your account. Direct Debit customers will need to quote it if they want to make an ad-hoc payment.

C: Options to pay

This section will show the total amount due throughout the billing period and your options to pay it. If you already have a Direct Debit set up, it will show your next and future payments.

D: Total due

This is your annual charge. It is not related to how much water you use and is based on the rateable value (RV) of your property.

E: E-billing

Sign up for e-billing and easily see your account information, update your contact details and view and pay your bills online.

F: Help paying your bill

If you're worried about paying your bill. We're here to help.

We have a range of plans that can reduce your bills or help you to manage your payments. 

G: Switch and save with a water meter

If you feel you are paying too much for your water, would like to take control of your usage, you may benefit by switching to a water meter. You’ll only be charged for the water you use.

H: Account summary

This section shows your previous balance and total payments made to date.

I: Rateable value (RV)

You are charged based on the rateable value of your property and not how much water you use. These values were given to all UK homes between 1967 and 1990 and were an assessment of their annual rental value. The higher yours is, the more you will be charged.

J: Total

This figure is calculated by multiplying your property’s rateable value by our water charges and Wessex Water's sewerage charges, plus the standing charges.