Guides › Energy and Water Bills › Low Water Pressure: Compensation
Low Water Pressure: Compensation
Water companies must keep pressure at least at 7 metres head (0.7 bar) in the pipe to your property. If it falls below this twice for more than an hour within 28 days, you can get a payment: £50 in England (up to 5 times a year) or £25 in Wales.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Low Pressure Payments
The Standard
The minimum is at least 7 metres head (0.7 bar) in the communication pipe. A payment applies if pressure fails this twice for more than 1 hour within 28 days. source
How Much
In England, £50, up to 5 times a year; if low pressure is ongoing, you may be automatically entitled to £250 a year. In Wales, £25, once a year. source
Complaining
Tell the Water Company First
For water, start by telling your water company what is wrong and giving it a chance to fix it. If it does not reply within 10 working days, you may be due a payment under the Guaranteed Standards Scheme. source
Account Queries
The Consumer Council for Water says that if a water company does not reply to a written account query or complaint within 10 working days, you are entitled to a Guaranteed Standards Scheme payment of £40 in England (£20 in Wales), and to an extra payment if that compensation is paid late. source
Consumer Council for Water
You can take your complaint to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which is free, once you have a final response (written or spoken) or eight weeks have passed since you first complained. Include evidence such as emails, bills or call notes. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 28 daysTwo low-pressure failures of over an hourTriggers a payment
- 10 working daysWater company reply at each of its two stages10 working days
- 8 weeksWater complaint to the Consumer Council for WaterAfter a final response, or 8 weeks from your first complaint
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Note the dates and times when your pressure was low, and for how long.
Step 2 of 5
Report it to your water company and ask whether it meets the payment standard.
Step 3 of 5
Ask for your Guaranteed Standards Scheme payment in writing. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 4 of 5
If the company does not reply within 10 working days, ask for the late-reply payment too.
Step 5 of 5
If you are still unhappy, take it to the Consumer Council for Water.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Water Company's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing, then ask for a review if needed.
Consumer Council for Water
After a final response, or 8 weeks after your first complaint.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Check with neighbours: if they have low pressure too, it is more likely to be a supply problem than your own pipes.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- ccw.org.uk/faq/what-standards-are-guaranteed-by-water-and-sewerage-companies Checked 13 October 2026
- ccw.org.uk/advice-and-support/make-a-complaint Checked 12 October 2026