Water company bereavement: Anglian, Thames, Severn Trent – contact numbers and what to do

Water is one of the utility accounts that falls to families and executors to handle directly after a death. Unlike some other notification tasks, there is no shortcut here: Tell Us Once – the government service that notifies several public bodies at once – does not cover water companies. Each supplier must be contacted separately.

The good news is that water company bereavement teams are generally straightforward to deal with. Most have a dedicated team or online form, the process takes one phone call or one form submission, and you do not need probate to close or transfer a water account.

This guide covers all major UK water suppliers with verified contact details, explains what happens to the account, and sets out what the executor or family member needs to have ready.

Does Tell Us Once cover water companies?

No. Tell Us Once notifies central government departments – HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office – when someone dies. It does not cover utility companies, including water suppliers. Every household must contact their water company directly.

If you want to notify multiple companies in a single process, the free services Life Ledger and Settld can handle water companies alongside banks, insurers, and other utilities on your behalf.

How to find out who your water supplier is

Water supply is tied to the property address, not to a customer’s personal choice. Every UK address has a designated supplier – you cannot switch.

The quickest way to find the supplier is:

1. Check old water bills – the company name, logo, and contact number will be on any paper or PDF bill.
2. Use the Water UK postcode tool at water.org.uk/customers/find-your-supplier – enter the property postcode and the tool will identify the supplier.
3. Use the CCW postcode checker at ccw.org.uk – this is the consumer council for water and lists the supplier for each address.
4. Check the Ofwat site at ofwat.gov.uk/households/your-water-company – this lists all licensed suppliers by region.

Note that some properties have a separate wastewater (sewerage) supplier. The water company and the wastewater company are often the same, but not always. The bereavement process for each is usually handled together by contacting the water company, but confirm this when you call.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are different. Scottish Water is the sole supplier across Scotland, and NI Water covers all of Northern Ireland. Both are publicly owned, not privatised. Their processes are covered separately below.

What information you will need

Before calling or filling in an online form, have the following ready:

• The full name of the person who has died
• The address of the property and (if possible) the account number – found on any water bill
• The date of death
• Your own name, contact details, and relationship to the deceased (next of kin, executor, or solicitor)
• A meter reading taken on or close to the date of death – a timestamped phone photograph is ideal
• A forwarding address for the estate, so the final bill and any refund can reach you

Most water companies do not require the death certificate upfront. Verbal notification is usually enough to get the account flagged. A copy will generally be requested before any refund is processed.

Major suppliers: contact details and process

The suppliers below cover the vast majority of UK households. All contact details are verified from each company’s official website (June 2026).

Thames Water

Thames Water serves London and much of the South East – approximately 15 million customers.

• Phone: 0800 009 4976 (Monday–Friday 9am–5pm)
• Online form: thameswater.co.uk/help/account-and-billing/help-with-a-bereavement

Thames Water accepts notification by phone or via their online bereavement form. Have ready: the deceased’s name and account number, the property address, the date of death, your contact details as executor or next of kin, and a meter reading if available. Thames Water typically processes a notification within 1–3 weeks. Note: if you call and hear a recorded message directing you to the website, stay on the line – the bereavement team will answer. (Source: Thames Water bereavement page)

Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent serves the Midlands and parts of Wales – approximately 8 million customers.

• Phone: 0800 783 4444
• Online form: stwater.co.uk/my-account/bereavement-support

Severn Trent’s bereavement support team can be contacted by phone or online form. They handle water and sewerage together. For accounts with an outstanding balance, Severn Trent may work with Phillips & Cohen Associates – if you receive contact from them, this is a legitimate Severn Trent partner. A grant of representation may be requested before final settlement if a substantial balance is involved. (Source: Severn Trent bereavement support page)

Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water serves most of Yorkshire – approximately 5 million customers.

• Phone: 0345 1 24 24 24 (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–5pm)
• Bereavement page: yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/bereavement

Yorkshire Water does not transfer accounts after death. The deceased’s account is closed and a new account is opened in the continuing occupant’s name, using the date-of-death meter reading as the opening reading. If no one remains at the property, the account closes and the estate is responsible for any outstanding balance. Take a meter reading before you call – this prevents disputes over the final bill. (Source: Yorkshire Water bereavement page)

Anglian Water

Anglian Water serves the East of England from Humber to Thames – approximately 6 million customers.

• Bereavement team (dedicated freephone): 0800 141 2944 (Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 8am–4pm)
• Online form: anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/water-care/bereavement-support/notify-us-of-a-bereavement

Anglian Water has a dedicated freephone bereavement line and an online form that takes approximately six minutes to complete. Anglian Water responds within 72 hours of form submission. A copy of the death certificate can be uploaded directly through the form (maximum 5MB). (Source: Anglian Water bereavement notification page)

United Utilities

United Utilities serves North West England – Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Cumbria – approximately 7 million customers.

• Bereavement team: 0800 912 7249
• Online form: unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/priority-services/bereavement

United Utilities waive water service charges for the 12 weeks following a death – an important practical benefit for executors managing an estate with an empty property. After 12 weeks they will contact you to confirm who takes responsibility for billing. The online form requests the account number, date of death, a meter reading, and your details as the person reporting. (Source: United Utilities bereavement support page)

Southern Water

Southern Water serves Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.

• Phone: 0330 303 0368 (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm)
• Online form: southernwater.co.uk/help-and-support/tell-us-about-a-bereavement

Southern Water’s bereavement form covers changing account name details, adding executor or solicitor contact information, or closing the account entirely. They also work with the NotifyNow notification service. Southern Water states that any outstanding balance is payable by the estate once probate is issued, rather than immediately – useful to know if the estate is not yet in a position to settle. (Source: Southern Water bereavement page)

Northumbrian Water / Essex & Suffolk Water

Northumbrian Water Limited operates two regional brands: Northumbrian Water, serving around 2.7 million customers in the North East (County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside), and Essex & Suffolk Water, serving approximately 1.8 million customers in parts of Essex, Suffolk, and Greater London (including Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and Redbridge).

• Phone: 0800 090 2422 (freephone – covers both brands)
• Online form: help.settld.care/express/nwl/account (via Settld, free)

Both brands use the same bereavement phone number and the same Settld-powered online form. Settld allows you to notify multiple organisations simultaneously. Northumbrian Water does not offer a void period charge waiver – standing charges continue on empty properties throughout estate administration. (Source: Northumbrian Water bereavement page) See our full Northumbrian Water bereavement guide for step-by-step detail.

South West Water

South West Water serves Devon, Cornwall, and the Bournemouth and Poole area.

• Phone: 0344 346 1010 (Monday–Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday 9am–12pm)
• Bereavement support page: southwestwater.co.uk/household/help-support/bereavement-support

South West Water is part of the Pennon group. Contact their bereavement line to close or transfer an account. (Source: South West Water bereavement support)

Wessex Water

Wessex Water serves Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and the Bristol area.

• Phone: 0345 600 3600 (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–1pm)
• Bereavement portal: bereavement.wessexwater.co.uk

Wessex Water has a dedicated bereavement portal – one of the clearest online notification processes among UK water companies. The form asks for your relationship to the account holder before guiding you through the steps. Note that Wessex Water and Bristol Water are now both part of the Pennon group and the bereavement portal serves both brands. (Source: Wessex Water bereavement page) See our full Wessex Water bereavement guide for step-by-step detail.

Affinity Water

Affinity Water serves parts of the South East, East of England, and East Midlands (including Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and the Lee Valley).

• Phone: 0345 359 5929 (Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 8am–2pm)
• Bereavement page: affinitywater.co.uk/billing/notifying-us-of-a-bereavement

Affinity Water is a water-only company – sewerage in its area is handled by Thames Water, Anglian Water, or Southern Water depending on the property postcode. Contact their bereavement team by phone or online form. (Source: Affinity Water bereavement page) See our full Affinity Water bereavement guide for step-by-step detail, including which sewerage company to contact separately.

Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water

Welsh Water serves most of Wales and parts of Herefordshire.

• Bereavement line (freephone): 0800 052 0145 (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm)
• Online notification form: contact.dwrcymru.com/en/notify-a-bereavement

Welsh Water will temporarily suspend charges for up to 12 months where the sole occupier has died and the property is awaiting probate – comparable to United Utilities’ policy and one of the most generous among UK water companies. Contact their freephone bereavement line or use the online form. (Source: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water – bereavements)

Summary table: all UK water companies

Contact details are verified from each company’s official website (June 2026).

Contact details last verified June 2026. If you cannot reach a number listed, check the company’s own website for current contact details.

Documents you will need

Water companies have lighter documentation requirements than banks or insurers. Most will accept:

• Proof of death – a copy (not necessarily a certified copy) of the death certificate. An interim death certificate is accepted if the coroner is still investigating.
• Account details – the account number from any recent water bill, or the property address.
• Meter reading – taken on or close to the date of death. A photograph of the meter is the most reliable approach.
• Your identity – most companies will ask who you are and your relationship to the deceased. A solicitor reference or executor appointment may be requested if there is a dispute about who should receive any credit refund.
• Grant of probate – not required for routine account closure, but may be asked for before a credit balance is refunded to the estate.

Ordering multiple copies of the death certificate when you register the death is advisable. Each certified copy costs £12.50 in England and Wales (source: gov.uk), £12 in Scotland, and £15 in Northern Ireland. For water companies, a standard copy is usually sufficient.

What happens to the account

Water accounts are tied to the property, not to the individual. This shapes how they are handled after a death.

Transfer to a surviving occupant

If a spouse, partner, family member, or other occupant is continuing to live at the property, the account transfers to them. The water company will close the deceased’s account and open a new one in the occupant’s name, using the meter reading from the date of notification as the starting point. Any credit on the old account is refunded to the estate; any debit becomes a debt of the estate.

Joint accounts

If the account was in joint names, it usually continues automatically in the surviving account holder’s name. The water company will update their records to remove the deceased. This typically requires a single phone call – have the account number and date of death ready.

Estate administration (empty property)

If the property is empty while the estate is being administered, the account will typically be transferred to the executor’s name or to the estate. Standing charges and any usage continue to accrue until the property is sold, a new occupant moves in, or the account is formally closed.

Executors are liable for ongoing water charges from the estate’s assets. Tell the water company early that the property is unoccupied and ask about their process for empty property accounts – policies on reduced tariffs vary significantly by supplier. United Utilities waive charges for 12 weeks; Welsh Water can suspend for up to 12 months. Most others continue to charge the standing charge throughout.

Legionella risk in empty properties. Water sitting stagnant in an empty property can develop legionella bacteria. If the property is empty for more than a few weeks, run all taps and showers periodically, or instruct a property manager to do so. The Health and Safety Executive has guidance at hse.gov.uk.

Meter reading at date of death

The meter reading on or close to the date of death establishes where the final bill ends and any new account begins. Taking a timestamped photograph of the meter as early as possible is the most reliable way to have this figure available.

Final bill and credit refunds

After notification, the company will issue a final bill for the period up to the date of death. If the account was in credit – common where direct debits were set higher than actual usage – the balance will be refunded to the estate. Ask the bereavement team specifically about any credit balance. Do not assume it will be refunded automatically; chase after four weeks if nothing has arrived.

The water company may ask for the executor’s bank details or a brief letter of instruction before releasing any credit. Severn Trent issues final bills within five to seven working days of account closure, with refunds arriving within 10 working days by bank transfer or 17 working days by cheque.

For more on direct debit cancellation, see our guide to what happens to direct debits when someone dies.

Direct debit timing

Do not cancel the direct debit until you have received the final bill and confirmed it shows a zero balance. If the deceased paid by direct debit and you cancel it before the final bill arrives, any outstanding balance must be paid separately by bank transfer or cheque, which creates extra administration. Wait for a final bill showing a zero balance, then cancel through the bank.

What if the property is rented?

The answer depends on whose name the water account was in.

If the tenant died and the account was in their name – the landlord or property manager needs to be notified. The account should be closed in the tenant’s name (with a final bill to the estate) and a new account opened in the landlord’s name. Landlords are responsible for the water account between tenancies.

If the account was in the landlord’s name – the tenant’s death does not directly affect the account. The landlord needs to notify the water company of the change in occupancy, but the account itself was not the tenant’s responsibility.

If the tenancy continues with other remaining occupants – the account should be transferred into one of the continuing tenants’ names.

Scottish Water

Scottish Water is a public corporation wholly owned by Scottish Ministers – unlike the privatised companies in England and Wales. It supplies water and wastewater services across the whole of Scotland.

One important difference for bereaved families in Scotland: water and sewerage charges are collected by the local council as part of the council tax bill, not directly by Scottish Water. In most cases, notifying the council about the death – which you can do via Tell Us Once – also triggers an update to the water and sewerage charges on the council tax account.

This means Scotland is one of the rare situations where Tell Us Once indirectly covers water charges, via the council tax notification. You still need to notify the council directly, but a separate call to Scottish Water is usually not required.

If the deceased had a separate direct standing charge arrangement with Scottish Water (which applies in some non-domestic or specific residential situations), contact Scottish Water directly:

• Phone: 0800 0778 778 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Website: scottishwater.co.uk/help-and-resources/contact-us

For council tax after a death in Scotland – including the Class 6 exemption for empty properties – see our council tax bereavement guide.

Northern Ireland Water

NI Water is a government-owned company providing water and sewerage services across all of Northern Ireland. Tell Us Once does not operate in Northern Ireland, so all organisations – including NI Water – must be contacted directly.

To notify NI Water of a death:

• Phone: 0345 744 0088
• Email: waterline@niwater.com
• Post: NI Water, PO Box 1026, Belfast, BT1 9DJ
• Website: niwater.com

Include a copy of the death certificate with your notification. NI Water’s billing is separate from rates (the Northern Ireland equivalent of council tax), which is administered by Land & Property Services – you will need to notify them separately.

Things to watch out for

Water debt does not get written off at death. Outstanding water charges are a debt of the estate, not a personal liability of the executor. If there is a balance due, it must be settled from the estate’s assets before the estate is distributed. If the estate cannot meet it, the water company will deal with the administrator – executors are not personally liable for estate debts.

Do not cancel the direct debit until the final bill arrives. If the deceased paid by direct debit, do not cancel it before the final bill is received and confirmed as settled. Stopping the direct debit early means any outstanding balance must be paid separately, creating extra administration. Wait for a final bill showing a zero balance before cancelling.

Standing charges continue on empty properties. Even if nobody is using the property, the water company’s standing charge continues daily. This varies by supplier but is typically in the range of 30–60p per day for water alone. Over several months of estate administration this can accumulate to a meaningful sum. Inform the water company promptly that the property is unoccupied and ask specifically about their policy.

Reminder letters after notification. Some executors receive automated payment reminder letters even after notifying the company, if the notification has not yet been processed through all internal systems. Keep a note of the date you called, the name of the person you spoke to, and any reference number. These will resolve any confusion quickly.

Separate wastewater billing. In some areas, water supply and sewerage are billed by different companies. When you notify, confirm that both services are being updated. If sewerage is billed separately, you will need to contact that organisation as well.

Tell Us Once does not cover water companies. This is one of the most common misconceptions in the bereavement notification process. Tell Us Once notifies HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and your local council – not utility companies. You must contact your water company directly regardless of whether you have used Tell Us Once. See our council tax bereavement guide for the government services that Tell Us Once does handle.

How long does it take?

For a straightforward closure or transfer, most water companies complete the process within one to four weeks of receiving all required information. The variables are:

• Whether the property is occupied or empty
• Whether there is a credit or debit balance to resolve
• Speed of document submission

Anglian Water and United Utilities generally process cases within one to two weeks. Thames Water and Severn Trent typically take two to three weeks for the full process including final bill.

Financial help and social tariffs

Water companies offer hardship support that can be relevant during estate administration and, more importantly, can be transferred to a new account holder continuing to live at the property.

WaterSure is available from all water companies regulated by Ofwat (England and Wales) and caps water bills for metered customers who either use above-average amounts of water because of a medical condition or who have three or more children under 19 living at home. The cap is set at the average metered bill for that company. If the deceased was receiving WaterSure, this does not carry over automatically – the new account holder will need to apply separately. (Source: Ofwat – WaterSure)

Individual companies also offer their own social tariffs:

• United Utilities – WaterSupport reduces bills by up to £100/year for households on certain means-tested benefits. It can be applied from the date a new account is opened.
• Severn Trent – Big Difference Scheme caps bills for eligible low-income customers. Notification of a death does not automatically end eligibility if a continuing occupant qualifies.
• Anglian Water – Lite tariff and WaterSure Plus for eligible households.
• Welsh Water – Assistance Tariff for low-income households.

If the estate cannot meet an outstanding water debt, executors are not personally liable. Water debt is a liability of the estate’s assets; if there are none, the water company will write it off. It does not transfer to surviving family members who were not account holders.

Small estates and probate

Water accounts do not require probate for routine closure or transfer. However, if there is a credit balance to refund and the water company requires confirmation of who is entitled to receive estate funds, the following options apply:

• Probate under way – once a grant of probate or letters of administration is issued, present it to the bereavement team and request the refund to the executor’s account.
• Small estate (no probate) – for estates under £25,000 where probate is not being sought, Severn Trent and some other companies will accept a Small Estate form: a statutory declaration supported by a certified death certificate and a solicitor’s confirmation of identity. Contact the bereavement team for their specific process.
• Probate not yet granted – most companies will hold the credit balance until probate is available rather than refusing to proceed with closure. Ask the bereavement team to note the estate’s intention to apply for probate and to hold any refund pending the grant.

If you are unsure whether probate is needed for the overall estate, see our probate guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tell Us Once cover water companies?

No. Tell Us Once notifies central government bodies – HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and your local council – but not utility companies. You must contact your water company directly regardless of whether you have used Tell Us Once. If you want to notify multiple organisations at once, the free services Life Ledger and Settld can handle water companies alongside banks and insurers.

Do I need probate to close a water account?

No. Probate is not required to close or transfer a water account. The water company may request a copy of the death certificate before refunding any credit balance, but this is a standard identity check rather than a legal requirement for probate.

Can I transfer the account to a new name?

Yes. If someone else is continuing to live at the property, the account transfers to them in a single call. The deceased’s account closes and a new one opens in the occupant’s name using the date-of-death meter reading as the starting point.

What if there is a credit balance?

Ask the bereavement team about any credit balance when you notify – do not assume it will be refunded automatically. If nothing has arrived after four weeks, follow up. The company may need the executor’s bank details or a brief letter of instruction before releasing the funds.

Should I cancel the direct debit immediately?

No. Wait until you have received the final bill showing a zero balance, then cancel through the bank. Stopping the direct debit early means any outstanding balance must be paid separately, creating extra administration.

What happens to water charges in Scotland?

In Scotland, water and sewerage charges are collected by the local council as part of the council tax bill – not billed directly by Scottish Water. Notifying the council via Tell Us Once typically also updates the water and sewerage element of the council tax account. You only need to contact Scottish Water directly if the deceased had a separate direct standing charge arrangement, which applies in some non-domestic situations. Scottish Water’s 24-hour helpline is 0800 0778 778.

What if the property is empty during estate administration?

Standing charges continue to accrue daily on an empty property – typically 30–60p per day for water alone. Inform the water company that the property is unoccupied as soon as possible. United Utilities waive charges for the first 12 weeks; Welsh Water can suspend charges for up to 12 months. Most other suppliers continue billing the standing charge throughout estate administration.

Is there financial help if the estate cannot pay the water bill?

Water debt does not disappear at death – it becomes a liability of the estate. However, executors are not personally responsible. If the estate has no assets to meet the debt, the water company will write it off. For households in financial difficulty, most water companies offer WaterSure and social tariffs such as United Utilities’ WaterSupport or Severn Trent’s Big Difference Scheme. These can be transferred to a new account holder rather than lost when the deceased’s account closes.

Who are Phillips & Cohen Associates?

Phillips & Cohen Associates is a bereavement support company that works with Severn Trent Water and some other suppliers to manage outstanding account balances. If you receive a letter from them after notifying a water company, it is legitimate – they have been appointed by the company to contact the estate about any remaining balance. They offer sensitive handling and can arrange payment from the estate before the account is fully settled.

What is the risk from leaving water on in an empty property?

Water sitting stagnant in an empty property can develop legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease. If the property is unoccupied for more than a few weeks, run all taps, showers, and garden taps periodically to flush the system. The Health and Safety Executive recommends a weekly flush if the property is empty for an extended period (hse.gov.uk/legionnaires).

Summary

Find out which company supplies the property (check old bills or use the Water UK postcode tool), then contact that company directly using the details in the table above.

Have a meter reading, the account number, and a copy of the death certificate ready. Most companies will process the notification within one to four weeks, after which a final bill and any credit refund will be issued.

If managing notifications across multiple utility companies, the free services Life Ledger and Settld can notify water companies as part of a wider notification process.

For dedicated company guides, see our full Thames Water bereavement guide – covering WaterSure, WaterHelp, metered and unmetered billing, and void property charges – our Severn Trent Water bereavement guide covering the Midlands and parts of Wales, including the 12-month probate charge suspension and the Phillips & Cohen Associates debt process – our Anglian Water bereavement guide covering East England, with details on their 72-hour response commitment, document upload form, and WaterSure caps for 2026–27 – our United Utilities bereavement guide covering North West England, including their 12-week void property charge waiver and WaterSure tariff – our Yorkshire Water bereavement guide covering most of Yorkshire and parts of North Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire, including their phone-first notification process, callback option, and WaterSure and WaterSupport tariffs – our Southern Water bereavement guide covering Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, including their online form and NotifyNow partnership, WaterSure 2026–27 caps, Essentials Tariff, and what to expect with Phillips and Cohen Associates – our Northumbrian Water bereavement guide covering the North East of England and (via Essex & Suffolk Water) parts of Essex, Suffolk, and Greater London, including the Settld online form partnership, WaterSure tariff, and void property standing charges – and our Affinity Water bereavement guide covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, parts of Essex, Surrey, Greater London, and areas of Kent, including the sewerage company split (Thames Water or Anglian Water depending on area), WaterSure and LIFT eligibility, and what to expect during estate administration.

For other utility guides, see our pages on notifying British Gas after a death and notifying Octopus Energy after a death. If you are also dealing with council tax, our council tax bereavement guide covers the process for notifying your local authority. For a complete list of all organisations to notify, see our what to do when someone dies guide.