Your water meter measures how much water you use, helping us keep your bills accurate. Most properties have an individual meter, though flats or conversions may share one (see Bulk water meters below).
Finding your water meter
Water meters are usually located in one of the following places:
Outside your property, in a small box or chamber on your driveway, garden path, or pavement. It may have a metal or plastic cover and sit around 40 cm (18 inches) below ground level.
Inside your property, under the kitchen sink, next to the stopcock, or in a utility cupboard near the front door.
The water meter itself is typically round — about 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter — with a serial number printed on the side and a display showing numbers in m³ (cubic metres).
If you live in a block of flats, you may find several meters grouped together. Make sure you identify the correct one by matching the serial number with your landlord or letting agent.
If you’re not sure where yours is — or if it’s in a locked or hard-to-reach place — your landlord or letting agent should be able to help you locate it and arrange access.
About 25% of UK houses do not have a water meter. If you can't locate one, ask your agent or landlord, and they should be able to confirm if you have a meter or not.
Submitting a water meter reading
Reading your water meter is straightforward — all we need is a clear photo of the display:
Take a clear photo of your water meter, showing the numbers and serial number.
Send the photo to us, along with the date the reading was taken.
Once you’ve sent it in, our Water team will review your reading and adjust your payments if necessary to make sure your bill reflects your actual usage.
If your meter is located underground, you may find it covered by water or condensation. Don’t worry — there’s no electricity in the meter, so it’s safe to reach in. You might need to wipe the face of the meter gently to make the reading visible.
Water meters are also read directly by your supplier at least once every 12 months, even if you don’t submit a reading.
What happens if I don’t submit a reading?
If you don’t provide a reading, your water supplier will estimate your usage instead. This means your bill might not perfectly reflect your actual consumption. Regular readings help prevent over- or under-charging, keeping your payments fair and accurate.
Bulk water meters
In some blocks of flats or converted properties, there may be a single “bulk” water meter measuring the total usage for all homes in the building.
If that’s the case, Bunch cannot supply or bill you directly for water, since we can’t determine your individual usage. Typically:
The landlord or managing agent pays the main water bill.
Water charges are either included in your rent or billed separately by your landlord.
If you’re unsure which applies to your property, contact your landlord or letting agent for clarification.