Water Usage Cost Calculator

Find out how much your daily water habits cost on a metered supply. Enter your household's usage across showers, baths, washing and other activities to see your estimated annual water bill.

Last updated: April 2026

Your water usage
Rate
UK average 2025: ~£1.80–£1.95/m³ including wastewater. Check your bill for exact rate.
Bathing (per day, whole household)
Average shower: ~8 min at 8 litres/min = 64 litres
Average bath: ~150 litres
Appliances (per week, whole household)
Average cycle: ~50 litres (modern machine)
Average cycle: ~12 litres
Other (per person per day)
Modern dual flush: ~4–6 litres/flush
Your water costs
Estimated annual cost
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Daily cost -
Monthly cost -
Daily litres used -
Litres per person per day -

Cost breakdown

Showers -
Baths -
Washing machine -
Dishwasher -
Toilet -

How water is charged in the UK

Around 60% of UK households are on a water meter, with the government aiming for near-universal metering by 2030. Metered households pay for the water they actually use, plus a standing charge. Unmetered households pay a fixed annual amount based on the rateable value of their property, regardless of how much water they use.

Water charges vary significantly by region - customers in the South West typically pay the highest bills in England, while those in parts of the North West pay the lowest. The figure shown in this calculator is the combined rate for both clean water supply and wastewater (sewerage), which together make up the full bill. Wastewater is typically assumed to be the same volume as the clean water you use.

Where water is actually used in a typical household

According to Waterwise, the average UK person uses around 145 litres of water per day. The breakdown is approximately: toilet flushing 30%, showers and baths 25%, washing machine 13%, dishwasher and washing up 8%, drinking and cooking 8%, garden and outdoor use 7%, leaks and other 9%. Showers and baths therefore account for the single largest discretionary usage category - reducing shower time by two minutes per shower can save a meaningful amount on a metered supply over the course of a year.

Is a water meter worth getting?

Generally, a water meter saves money if your household has fewer people than bedrooms. A single person in a two-bedroom property is likely overpaying on an unmetered supply. Large households with multiple people sharing a property are more likely to use more water than the unmetered flat rate assumes. Most water companies allow you to trial a meter for a period and revert if your bills increase. In water-stressed areas of England, new homes are required to have a meter installed as standard.

Frequently asked questions

A standard shower uses around 8 litres of water per minute. A 10-minute shower uses approximately 80 litres. At a typical combined water and wastewater rate of £1.85 per cubic metre (1,000 litres), that is about 15p for the water alone. However, the energy cost of heating the water is considerably higher - heating 80 litres of water from cold to shower temperature costs roughly 30–40p at current gas prices or 60–80p if you use an electric shower. The total cost per 10-minute shower is therefore closer to 45–95p depending on your heating system.
Yes, in almost all cases. A modern dishwasher uses around 10–13 litres per cycle. Washing the same load by hand under a running tap uses 40–60 litres. Even filling a bowl uses 15–20 litres for a typical load. The dishwasher also heats its own water more efficiently than most kitchen boilers. The energy and water cost of running a full dishwasher load is typically lower than hand-washing the same dishes, provided you run the machine with a full load rather than partial loads.
The most impactful changes are: shortening showers by 2–4 minutes (saves 16–32 litres per shower), fitting a water-efficient showerhead (can halve shower water use), fixing dripping taps (a dripping tap wastes up to 5,000 litres per year), fitting a cistern displacement device to older toilets (reduces flush volume by 1–3 litres), and running washing machines and dishwashers on full loads only. Many water companies offer free water-saving devices including shower timers, tap inserts and cistern bags - check your supplier's website.

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