Pay my bill
Choose from several ways to pay your water bill, learn about how your bill is calculated, and log in to your account.
How can we help you today?
Pay via Direct Debit
Paying by Direct Debit is convenient, allowing you to spread your bill over monthly payments on a day that suits you best. With a Direct Debit you never need to worry about missing a payment. If you would like to pay this way, please complete the online form. Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 600 3600 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm) or print and complete the relevant form below. Please return the form to BWBSL, 1 Clevedon Walk, Nailsea, Bristol, BS48 1WA.
- Apply for a Direct Debit online
- Download a Metered Direct Debit Form
- Download an Unmetered Direct Debit Form
- Download the Direct Debit terms and conditions
If you’re a metered customer
The easiest method of payment is by Direct Debit over 12 months. Alternatively, you can pay the full amount when you receive your bills twice a year.
If you pay your bill monthly, you will build up credit through your monthly payments, throughout the billing period.
We review your monthly payments once a year, and adjust them based on your usage, balance on the account and in line with any changes in charges. We aim to read your meter twice throughout the year.
If you’re an unmetered customer
You will get a bill once a year. You can pay it monthly over ten months with Direct Debit, twice a year or pay it all at once when you receive it.
If your Direct Debit payments change
We will notify customers if their monthly payments are set to change.
It will become effective within 10 working days of your next payment (unless you receive different advice).
How can I adjust my payments?
We understand circumstances can change, if you’re a metered customer and feel you’re using more/less water or struggling to pay, please contact us on 0345 600 3600 and we would be more than happy to discuss your options.
Pay your bill online
If you use Online Banking, you can make a payment to us by setting up a new payee.
Sort code: 40-02-50
Account number: 61229737
Your payment should be made to Bristol Wessex Billing Services Ltd, quoting the 13-digit reference number shown in the box on the payment slip.
Pay your bill on the phone
Call our automated line on 0345 600 1 019 (24 hours). Please have your credit or debit card and your bill at hand.
Pay your bill by post
Write your customer number on the back of your cheque and post it with the payment slip to:
BWBSL
1 Clevedon Walk
Nailsea
Bristol
BS48 1WA
Cheques should be made payable to BWBSL.
Do not send cash or post dated cheques.
Pay your bill in person
At PayZone
Take your water bill with cash to your local outlet. Look out for the PayZone sign or visit their website by visiting www.payzone.co.uk or by clicking this link to PayZone's website.
At a bank
Take your bill with cash or cheque to a local bank. Normally no fee is payable at your own bank.
At a Post Office
Fill in the payment slip and take it with your water bill and your payment in cash.
Log in to your account
- View your account details
- Update your contact details
- Check your billing accounts
- Pay your bills via Sage Pay
- View your latest bills
- Set up a Direct Debit
- Ask a question about your bill
- Submit a change to your personal details / Tell us you're moving
Submit a meter reading
Pay via Direct Debit
Paying by Direct Debit is convenient, allowing you to spread your bill over monthly payments on a day that suits you best. With a Direct Debit you never need to worry about missing a payment. If you would like to pay this way, please complete the online form. Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 600 3600 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm) or print and complete the relevant form below. Please return the form to BWBSL, 1 Clevedon Walk, Nailsea, Bristol, BS48 1WA.
- Apply for a Direct Debit online
- Download a Metered Direct Debit Form
- Download an Unmetered Direct Debit Form
- Download the Direct Debit terms and conditions
If you’re a metered customer
The easiest method of payment is by Direct Debit over 12 months. Alternatively, you can pay the full amount when you receive your bills twice a year.
If you pay your bill monthly, you will build up credit through your monthly payments, throughout the billing period.
We review your monthly payments once a year, and adjust them based on your usage, balance on the account and in line with any changes in charges. We aim to read your meter twice throughout the year.
If you’re an unmetered customer
You will get a bill once a year. You can pay it monthly over ten months with Direct Debit, twice a year or pay it all at once when you receive it.
If your Direct Debit payments change
We will notify customers if their monthly payments are set to change.
It will become effective within 10 working days of your next payment (unless you receive different advice).
How can I adjust my payments?
We understand circumstances can change, if you’re a metered customer and feel you’re using more/less water or struggling to pay, please contact us on 0345 600 3600 and we would be more than happy to discuss your options.
Pay your bill online
If you use Online Banking, you can make a payment to us by setting up a new payee.
Sort code: 40-02-50
Account number: 61229737
Your payment should be made to Bristol Wessex Billing Services Ltd, quoting the 13-digit reference number shown in the box on the payment slip.
Pay your bill on the phone
Call our automated line on 0345 600 1 019 (24 hours). Please have your credit or debit card and your bill at hand.
Pay your bill by post
Write your customer number on the back of your cheque and post it with the payment slip to:
BWBSL
1 Clevedon Walk
Nailsea
Bristol
BS48 1WA
Cheques should be made payable to BWBSL.
Do not send cash or post dated cheques.
Pay your bill in person
At PayZone
Take your water bill with cash to your local outlet. Look out for the PayZone sign or visit their website by visiting www.payzone.co.uk or by clicking this link to PayZone's website.
At a bank
Take your bill with cash or cheque to a local bank. Normally no fee is payable at your own bank.
At a Post Office
Fill in the payment slip and take it with your water bill and your payment in cash.
Log in to your account
- View your account details
- Update your contact details
- Check your billing accounts
- Pay your bills via Sage Pay
- View your latest bills
- Set up a Direct Debit
- Ask a question about your bill
- Submit a change to your personal details / Tell us you're moving
Submit a meter reading
Pay via Direct Debit
Paying by Direct Debit is convenient, allowing you to spread your bill over monthly payments on a day that suits you best. With a Direct Debit you never need to worry about missing a payment. If you would like to pay this way, please complete the online form. Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 600 3600 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm) or print and complete the relevant form below. Please return the form to BWBSL, 1 Clevedon Walk, Nailsea, Bristol, BS48 1WA.
- Apply for a Direct Debit online
- Download a Metered Direct Debit Form
- Download an Unmetered Direct Debit Form
- Download the Direct Debit terms and conditions
If you’re a metered customer
The easiest method of payment is by Direct Debit over 12 months. Alternatively, you can pay the full amount when you receive your bills twice a year.
If you pay your bill monthly, you will build up credit through your monthly payments, throughout the billing period.
We review your monthly payments once a year, and adjust them based on your usage, balance on the account and in line with any changes in charges. We aim to read your meter twice throughout the year.
If you’re an unmetered customer
You will get a bill once a year. You can pay it monthly over ten months with Direct Debit, twice a year or pay it all at once when you receive it.
If your Direct Debit payments change
We will notify customers if their monthly payments are set to change.
It will become effective within 10 working days of your next payment (unless you receive different advice).
How can I adjust my payments?
We understand circumstances can change, if you’re a metered customer and feel you’re using more/less water or struggling to pay, please contact us on 0345 600 3600 and we would be more than happy to discuss your options.
Pay your bill online
If you use Online Banking, you can make a payment to us by setting up a new payee.
Sort code: 40-02-50
Account number: 61229737
Your payment should be made to Bristol Wessex Billing Services Ltd, quoting the 13-digit reference number shown in the box on the payment slip.
Pay your bill on the phone
Call our automated line on 0345 600 1 019 (24 hours). Please have your credit or debit card and your bill at hand.
Pay your bill by post
Write your customer number on the back of your cheque and post it with the payment slip to:
BWBSL
1 Clevedon Walk
Nailsea
Bristol
BS48 1WA
Cheques should be made payable to BWBSL.
Do not send cash or post dated cheques.
Pay your bill in person
At PayZone
Take your water bill with cash to your local outlet. Look out for the PayZone sign or visit their website by visiting www.payzone.co.uk or by clicking this link to PayZone's website.
At a bank
Take your bill with cash or cheque to a local bank. Normally no fee is payable at your own bank.
At a Post Office
Fill in the payment slip and take it with your water bill and your payment in cash.
Log in to your account
- View your account details
- Update your contact details
- Check your billing accounts
- Pay your bills via Sage Pay
- View your latest bills
- Set up a Direct Debit
- Ask a question about your bill
- Submit a change to your personal details / Tell us you're moving
Submit a meter reading
How your bill is calculated
Some of the terminology on your bill can be confusing. Every bill is made up of a number of different elements and charges, based on the services we provide. Here's a summary of the main ones and what they mean:
Fresh water charge
This is the charge for the fresh, clean water that comes out of your taps.
Fresh water is the water you use for drinking, cooking, cleaning, washing and watering the plants. It's the clean, safe water that comes into your home and out through your taps. The charge for fresh water on your bill is made by Bristol Water for supplying these services to you.
Wastewater charge
The wastewater, or sewerage charge, is for water leaving your property through the drains.
When the water leaves your property, it does so as wastewater or sewage. To be able to reuse or release this wastewater back into nature, it must be property handled, processed and treated. This is what the wastewater charge covers. This element of your bill is the responsibility of Wessex Water.
Unlike some other areas of the country, your water service is provided by two companies. We (Bristol Water) supply your fresh water, and Wessex Water provides your sewerage service. We combine the charges for both into a single bill, so it's easier for you to pay.
Standing charge
This is a fixed charge, payable by all customers.
Standing charges are fixed amounts, payable by all customers. Part of the charge covers the cost of billing and part of the charge covers the costs of maintaining and repairing the pipes in the ground and the facilities we use to process and treat water.
Rateable value
A banded charge that is typically determined by the size of your house.
All properties prior to the introduction of the Poll Tax in 1990 were given a rateable value. The rateable value is an assessment of the amount of money you should pay for your water, based on a variety of factors, but mainly the size of your property. The rateable value (RV) figures were set by the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue. On your bill, rateable value may be referenced as 'RV’ or even ‘non-metered bill’. It is a relatively old measure and as properties can change over time, due to extensions and redevelopments, the rateable value as it was originally assessed may no longer be accurate. Modern properties typically no longer use rateable value to determine the cost of your bill. Water meters accurately record the amount of water you use and are now seen as a much fairer way to charge and allow you to save money by changing how much water you use.
Find out more about water meters.
Metered bill
A bill that is calculated on the water you actually use, as recorded by your water meter.
Most modern homes have a water meter installed. A water meter records the actual water you use, so when you get your bill, it reflects how much water you've consumed. If you use more water, your bill is likely to increase. If you use less water, it's likely to decrease. Many people like water meters as it puts you in control of your bills. If you take steps to reduce your water use – like taking shorter showers or not leaving the tap on while brushing your teeth – you'll see your water bill cost decrease.