Can I switch my water supplier?

No — households can’t switch water supplier, but there’s plenty of help if bills are a struggle.

Reviewed: 3 September 2026
Official sources referenced

No — households in England and Wales can’t switch their water supplier.
Water and sewerage are regional monopolies, so whoever serves your area is your supplier. Only business customers have been able to switch retailer since 2017.

What protects you instead

Because you can’t shop around, regulation does the protecting: Ofwat sets price limits and standards, and the Consumer Council for Water takes up complaints for free. If bills are hard to afford, help includes social tariffs, the WaterSure cap, and payment plans.

Learn more

See our Water page for help with bills, meters and complaints.

Sources

Ofwat; Consumer Council for Water. Reviewed: 3 September 2026.

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