In short: If your water stops, GOV.UK Be Ready says check your water company's website for updates and alternative supply points, and save bottled or stored water for drinking, handwashing and food. If you're on the company's Priority Services Register, it should arrange alternative supplies. Rainwater can be used to flush the toilet but not to drink. Under the Guaranteed Standards Scheme announced on GOV.UK in July 2025, if supply isn't restored on time, households get £50 plus £50 for each further 12 hours, paid automatically.
Key facts
- Be Ready recommends keeping 3 litres of drinking water per person per day for 3 days, plus extra for baby formula, medical devices and pets. Source
- Be Ready says that if you're on your water company's Priority Services Register, the company should arrange alternative supplies during an outage. Source
- Be Ready says rainwater from a water butt can be used for flushing toilets or watering plants, but not for drinking. Source
- GOV.UK announced on 2 July 2025 that the household payment when supply is not restored on time rose from £20 to £50, with £50 for each further 12 hours (previously £10 per 24 hours). Source
- GOV.UK says eligible customers don't need to take action, as payments are credited to their accounts automatically. Source
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It's unsettling when you turn on the tap and nothing comes out. A few calm steps help: find out whether it's just your home, make the water you have last, and know what your water company owes you. This guide follows the GOV.UK Be Ready water page and the compensation rules announced on GOV.UK in July 2025.
First: is it just your home?
If only your home is affected, the problem may be inside your property, such as a frozen pipe or a closed stop tap. Our frozen and burst pipes guide covers that.
If neighbours have no water either, it's likely a supply problem. Be Ready's advice:
- Check your water company's website for service updates in your area and for alternative supply points, such as bottled water stations.
- Contact your water company if there's no update. The number is on your bill, or use Water UK's supplier finder.
- If you're on the Priority Services Register and haven't had support, contact the company as soon as possible. Be Ready says it should arrange alternative supplies for registered customers.
In Scotland, check Scottish Water's "In your area" page. In Northern Ireland, check NI Water's service updates.
Making your water last
While there's no mains supply, Be Ready suggests using bottled or other alternative water only for drinking, handwashing and preparing food.
- Drinks: soft and fizzy drinks are safe and can be stored in a cupboard. Avoid milk or fresh fruit juice that smells off.
- Handwashing: fill a large clean bowl with water and add soap or household disinfectant. Use as little water as you can.
- Toilets: Be Ready says rainwater from a water butt can be used for flushing toilets or watering plants. Don't drink it, as it may contain bacteria. Save your drinking water for drinking.
Baby formula
Be Ready says ready-made formula is the safest option when there's no tap water. Powdered formula should only be made with freshly boiled water.
Bottled water is generally not recommended for formula. In rare cases, such as when drinking water isn't available, still bottled water may be used if the label shows no more than 200 mg/L of sodium and 250 mg/L of sulphate. Boil it to sterilise, then let it cool for no more than 30 minutes. The NHS guide to making up formula has the full steps.
What you're entitled to: compensation
Water companies must make set payments under the Guaranteed Standards Scheme. GOV.UK announced new household amounts on 2 July 2025:
| Situation | Old payment | New payment |
|---|---|---|
| Planned interruption of over 4 hours, with less than 48 hours' notice | £20 | £50 |
| Supply not restored on time (first payment) | £20 | £50 |
| Each further period without supply | £10 per 24 hours | £50 per 12 hours |
GOV.UK says eligible customers don't need to take action: payments are credited to accounts automatically. Check your water company's own guaranteed standards for exactly what applies where you live, especially in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Consumer Council for Water has household FAQs for England and Wales.
- Note the time your water went off and came back.
- Check your next bill or account for the credit.
Check on neighbours
Be Ready asks you to check whether neighbours, especially anyone who may need extra support, are also without water. Offer practical help, such as collecting bottled water, and suggest they sign up to the Priority Services Register. Our Priority Services Register guide explains who qualifies.
When the water comes back
Be Ready says discoloured water is common after an outage. Run the cold tap nearest your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) for a while to clear it. If problems continue, contact your water company.
If your water company issues a boil water notice, follow it until it's lifted. Our boil water notice guide explains what that means.
Be ready for next time
Be Ready's simple steps before an outage:
- Keep bottled water at home: 3 litres per person per day for 3 days, plus extra for baby formula, medical devices and pets.
- No room for bottles? Be Ready says boiling or water purification tablets can make other water safer to drink. Most other sources need filtering before using tablets. Follow the label, as strengths differ.
- Fit a water butt if you have outdoor space, for flushing and plants.
- Join your water company's Priority Services Register if you're eligible, and ask anyone you care for to check they're registered.
- Medical devices that need water: talk to the care team about a plan for an outage.
- Write down your water company's number and where your stop tap is.
Our water storage guide covers how much to keep and how to store it.
Limitations
This is general information based on GOV.UK Be Ready and GOV.UK pages, checked on 28 October 2026. Compensation amounts are those in the July 2025 GOV.UK announcement; your water company's guaranteed standards set out what applies to your home. It isn't medical or legal advice. If anyone is in danger, call 999.
If you'd like your water company, stop tap, meters and household contacts written down in one place, the Household Emergency Plan Pack has fillable utilities and shut-off pages, with official UK numbers already filled in.
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Frequently asked questions
Who do I call if I have no water?
Your water company. Its number is on your water bill, or use Water UK's supplier finder. Be Ready suggests checking the company's website first for service updates and alternative supply points in your area.
How do I flush the toilet with no water?
Be Ready says rainwater from a water butt can be used for flushing toilets, but don't drink it. Keep your bottled or stored drinking water for drinking, handwashing and food.
Do I get compensation if my water is off?
Under the payment levels announced on GOV.UK on 2 July 2025, if supply isn't restored on time a household gets £50, plus £50 for each further 12 hours. There's also £50 if a planned interruption of over 4 hours is given with less than 48 hours' notice. Payments are automatic.
Can I use bottled water for baby formula?
Be Ready says ready-made formula is safest. Bottled water is generally not recommended for formula, but in rare cases still bottled water may be used if the label shows no more than 200 mg/L sodium and 250 mg/L sulphate, boiled and cooled for no more than 30 minutes.
Why is my water brown after it comes back?
Be Ready says discoloured water is common after an outage. Run the cold tap nearest your stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, for a while. If it doesn't clear, contact your water company.
Sources
- GOV.UK Be Ready: Water supply interruptions or outages (checked 28 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Customers to receive up to £2,000 for water service failures, 2 July 2025 (checked 28 Oct 2026)
- Water UK: Find your water supplier
- The Priority Services Register