Rising Water Bills From April 2026: UK Households Could Save Hundreds on Their Water Bills With Six Simple DIY Fixes

Households in England and Wales are set for another increase in their water bills from April 2026, with average annual costs rising by £33 to around £639.
However, new analysis suggests many households could be wasting significant amounts of water each year through everyday fixtures, with simple DIY changes potentially saving hundreds of pounds annually on combined water and energy bills.

From inefficient showers to hidden leaks, small issues around the home can quietly drive up costs. For example, a single dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water per year, costing homeowners around £19 annually based on average water rates.

Olivia Marshall, Product Manager at Plumbworld, has explored six simple ways homeowners can reduce water usage and cut costs without the need for a plumber or specialist tools.

1. Swap to a water-efficient shower head

Water-efficient shower heads can reduce water usage from around 10 to 15 litres per minute down to as little as 6 litres, saving up to 90 litres during a typical 10-minute shower.

For each daily 10-minute shower that may consume up to 150 litres, switching to a water-efficient shower head could save up to 32,000 litres of water per year, or around £115 annually on water bills alone. When factoring in reduced hot water usage, total savings on combined water and heating bills could be even higher.
They are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be fitted in minutes without professional help.

2. Fix dripping taps immediately

A dripping tap may seem minor, but one leak can waste up to 5,500 litres of water per year. At an estimated cost of 0.35 pence per litre, this equates to roughly £19 per year wasted on a single tap.

Replacing a worn washer or upgrading to a modern tap is a simple and low cost fix that can prevent water waste and unnecessary spending. Fixing a tap is inexpensive and can often be done without needing a plumber, however it's always worth getting a professional in if you're not confident tackling the job yourself.

3. Upgrade to a dual-flush toilet

Older single-flush toilets can use up to 13 litres of water per flush, compared to modern dual-flush systems that use significantly less water for liquid waste.
If a household reduces just 5 flushes per day by 6 litres each, this could save around 11,000 litres of water per year. That equates to approximately £38 annually in water costs alone. In busy households and those with more than one toilet, the savings could be even higher over time.

Homeowners can upgrade to a dual flush system without the need to call in a professional, with plenty of tutorials and guides available online to follow. Toilets with concealed cisterns within walls can often be more of a complex job and more difficult to conduct, therefore it's probably worth consulting a professional to avoid any accidents or damage to fixtures.

4. Install tap aerators

Tap aerators can reduce water flow by up to 50 percent without affecting performance, with some models cutting flow from around 15 litres per minute to as little as 6 litres.

This reduction can save households up to 15,000 litres of water per year, equivalent to around £50 annually on water bills alone based on average usage. They are low cost, easy to install, and one of the simplest ways to improve water efficiency in the home. (https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/blog/how-to-save-water-at-home)

5. Use cold-start taps where possible

Cold-start taps reduce unnecessary heating of water during everyday tasks such as hand washing or rinsing vegetables.

By avoiding the automatic use of hot water, households can lower both water and energy consumption, helping to reduce overall utility bills. Over time, households who upgrade to cold-start taps in the bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms will see noticeable savings on their water bills, especially in busy households where short water use happens regularly.

6. Use the food colouring test to check for silent leaks

Hidden toilet leaks can waste between 200 and 400 litres of water every day, often without homeowners realising, as many leaks are silent and difficult to detect. A silent leak occurs when water continuously flows from the cistern into the toilet bowl, without any obvious sound or a visible sign.

Over the course of a year, this could amount to more than 100,000 litres of wasted water, potentially adding as much as £300 on annual water bills if left unresolved, based on the cost of a litre of water at 0.35 pence per litre.

A simple food colouring test can quickly identify leaks without the need for tools or plumbing knowledge. All you need to do is drop a few drops of food colouring into the cistern and wait around 15 minutes without flushing. If the colour appears in the toilet bowl, it's a clear sign that water is leaking past the flapper or seal. This test is quick, safe, and requires no tools or plumbing skills, making it an easy first step toward stopping a hidden water leak.

Fixing even a small leak can prevent significant water waste and help households avoid unnecessary costs.

Small changes around your home can make a long term impact

Olivia Marshall, Own Brand Product Manager at Plumbworld, said:
"Many of the biggest sources of water waste in UK homes come from everyday fixtures such as taps, toilets and showers often without homeowners realising. Outdated fixtures that aren't fitted with the latest water saving technologies, whilst working perfectly fine, could be using more water than is needed and contributing to increased combined water and heating bills.

With water bills rising again from April 1st, small changes can make a real difference. Fixing leaks, upgrading fixtures, and improving efficiency could potentially save households hundreds of pounds a year on their own without the need for major renovations.

Most of these changes are low cost and easy to install, making them a practical option for homeowners looking to reduce both water usage and monthly bills."

Plumbworld
Millennium Court, Enterprise Way
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 1GS

Press Contact - max.hammond@onlinehomeretail.co.uk

Plumbworld, founded in 1999 by James Hickman, is a leading UK online retailer of bathroom, kitchen and heating products, offering well-known brands at competitive prices. With a UK-based customer service team and a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 71,000 reviews, it's trusted for reliability, expert support and fast delivery. Committed to delivering strong value, Plumbworld uses market-checking technology and a price match promise to ensure customers get the best deals across a wide range of home improvement products.

This release was published on openPR.