Why have we estimated your meter reading?
Sometimes we're unable to read your water meter, so we may need to estimate your meter reading to make sure you receive your bill on time.
There are a few reasons why we might not have been able to read your meter including:
- The meter is inside your property and no one was home when we visited
- The meter was obstructed or difficult to access
- The meter was damaged or the reading could not be obtained
If we’ve used an estimated reading, this will clearly be shown on your bill.
Your water bill explained
We’re keen to make sure that you understand exactly what you pay for. We’ve made our bills as simple as possible, here’s a summary of the main sections.
Click the button below to download an annotated bill.
How have we calculated the estimate?
Where possible, we estimate your reading using your previous water use.
If we don’t have enough information about your past water usage, we may use the number of people we believe live at the property to calculate a reasonable estimate.
Please remember: every household uses water differently, so an estimate based on occupancy is only a guide. Your actual usage may be higher or lower.
If you think we have the wrong occupancy information for your home, please contact us so we can review and update our records where appropriate. You can do this by [DETAILS HERE, ROB TO CONFIRM]
What you can do now
An estimated bill is not final. The easiest way to make sure you’re billed for the water you’ve actually used is to provide an up-to-date meter reading. We’ll then recalculate your charges using your actual usage.
Submit a meter reading | United Utilities
Can’t read your meter? If you are unable to obtain a meter reading yourself, consider whether a family member, friend or neighbour may be able to help.
If you are registered for Priority Services, we may be able to provide additional support with reading your meter.
What happens after you provide a reading?
Once we receive your reading we will recalculate your charges using the actual amount of water used between meter readings. You will receive an updated bill showing the revised charges and the difference between the estimate and your actual usage.
- If the estimate was higher than your actual usage: we will automatically credit the difference to your account. The credit will reduce any outstanding balance.
- If the estimate was lower than your actual usage: your updated bill may show an additional amount to pay, reflecting the water you’ve used. The bill will confirm your revised balance.
If you pay by Direct Debit, we may also review your regular payment amount. This means it could increase or decrease to better reflect your actual usage. You can review your upcoming payment schedule on your bill.
We usually send your updated bill the day after you provide a meter reading, so it may take a few days to arrive by post. If you're a paperless customer, we'll email you when your new bill is ready to view and download, usually the day after you submit your reading.
To switch to paperless billing, log in or register at Login| My Account| United Utilities
Does your water usage seem higher than expected?
There may be a simple explanation why your water usage is higher than you expect it to be. Visit Is your water bill higher than you expected? | United Utilities for further guidance.