Water Direct Information

What is Water Direct?

The Council is responsible for collecting Water and Waste Water charges alongside Council Tax for most domestic properties in Glasgow. Although many people with a low income will be entitled to Council Tax Reduction, and pay no Council Tax or a reduced amount, almost everyone will have to pay at least 75% of the Water and Waste Water charges.

Water Direct is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and allows the Council to collect Water and Waste Water charges direct from certain state benefits. Water Direct will meet ongoing liability and help stop arrears from arising, in line with the Corporate Debt policy (PDF) [189KB] (opens new window) .

Annual charges for Water and Waste Water are detailed in your Council Tax bill.

Who will be affected by Water Direct?

The Water Direct scheme will apply if you have debt from previous years, fall behind with 2022/23 payments and are in receipt of:

• Income Based Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance
• Universal Credit

The department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will decide if they can apply water direct deductions. Deductions made from your state benefits will be sent directly to the Council.

Further information can be obtained via www.gov.uk/bills-benefits

If you require financial advice or budgeting support, this can be obtained through www.gain4u.org.uk/

Why is the Council using Water Direct?

Previously, the Council could only request deductions from state benefits where there were arrears for Council Tax or Water and Waste Water and the council had obtained a court order (known as a Summary Warrant) from Glasgow Sheriff Court which adds a 10% surcharge. The Water Direct scheme allows the Council to request deductions for ongoing Water and Waste Water charges avoiding the need to obtain a Summary Warrant which means no further charges are added.