Martin Lewis reveals easy water meter check that could save you up to £500
MARTIN Lewis has explained how some households can save up to £500 on their water bills.
More than a million families are already struggling to pay and the utility bill is set to rise further from April.
The average water bill will jump £7 to £419 from April, but the price will vary across the country.
Some areas will see a rise of up to £36 a year, a Sun investigation found.
Installing a water meter might help you save money, with some households cutting hundreds of pounds off their spending.
On The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, the savings guru heard from one viewer who cut bills by £500 after switching to a water meter.
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The average saving after getting a meter is £200 a year, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).
"Water bills are often the forgotten utility but you need to focus on them," Martin said.
He said there's an easy way to check if a meter could reduce costs.
If you've got more or the same number of bedrooms as people in your home, switching to a meter could save you money.
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That's because households without a meter are charged in line with the value of their property.
But if, for example, just two of you live in a four bedroom house, you're probably being charged more than you actually use.
But not all families will benefit from a meter being installed, Martin said.
Most water companies will let you trial a meter for up to two years and you can switch back for free if you're unhappy.
You can use an online calculator on the to estimate how much you could save.
You'll need information on how much water your household uses and how much you currently pay. - this information will be on previous bills.
What other help can I get with my water bills?
There's other help available if you're struggling to pay your water bills.
If you're in debt, or think you might fall behind on your payments, as soon as possible.
They should have a scheme to help customers clear outstanding debts.
Double check your bill to make sure you're only paying for services you actually use.
For example, if you have a soak-away in your garden, you shouldn't be paying for surface water drainage charges.
Similarly, if you've got a septic tank, you don't have to pay sewerage fees.
Water companies could backdate your refund so get in touch with the firm that covers your area directly.
When you get your water bill, take a proper look at it and compare it to earlier bills.
If there's an unexplained increase you should investigate why that is. For example, you could have a water leak.
Some customers who are on a meter, but struggle to keep their water use down, could get extra help.
For example, people claiming certain benefits and living with an illness can apply for WaterSure, which will cap their bills.
Many water companies also offer free water-saving devices that shave pounds off your bills.
Contact your supplier or check out .
Freebies include shower timers and buffalo bags, which save water with every flush.
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Some firms also offer reduced tariffs for low income households - contact your supplier for more details.
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