If you don’t pay your bill or fall behind with payments, you may face being in water arrears. As soon as you realise you’re having difficulties, get in touch with your water supplier. Your supplier can’t disconnect you if you owe them money, but they could take you to court if you don’t pay.

Arrears / Opening Balance – This is the amount you owe before the current month has been added. In other words, it' the balance brought forward from a previous invoice. If you haven't paid your last bill, the opening balance will be the amount still owed.

Paying a bill in arrears means making a payment for a service or utility after the service period has ended. This is common with various types of utilities and services where the exact usage is not known until the end of the billing period.

Water arrears are classed as a non-priority debt because a water company cannot disconnect your domestic water supply if you are in arrears, or install anything in your home that restricts the flow of water from the taps.