# Water checks when buying on Costa Blanca South: bills, meters and handover > Find out what the water bill covers and whether your new home needs an account transfer, activation or a connection. By Verdi Estate · 9 November 2026 Canonical: https://www.verdiestate.com/blog/water-checks-buying-costa-blanca-south ## At a glance - Match the latest bill and the meter to the exact home. - Separate standing charges, household use and any shared water costs. - Confirm the supply procedure and record the meter reading at handover. A running tap tells you that water is available at the viewing. It does not tell you who pays for it, which meter serves the home or what must happen at completion. When comparing homes in San Miguel de Salinas, Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, check the account and the plumbing separately. This matters as much for a holiday apartment as for a villa with a garden and pool. ## Match the bill to the home Ask the seller for a recent bill showing the supply address, contract reference, billing period and meter details. Personal payment information can be covered for the viewing. With permission, ask to see the corresponding meter, particularly if it is in a cabinet shared by several apartments. A label on the cabinet is a starting point; check it against the bill. Find out whether the home is billed directly or whether the community allocates some or all of the water costs. Ask the administrator how any shared supply, garden irrigation or pool top-ups are paid for. For a private pool or irrigation system, ask which meter records the water and how that use varies over the year. ## Read the bill before estimating costs AGAMED’s Torrevieja bill guide separates standing and consumption charges. [1] Compare two bills for similar periods and note who was living there, when and for how long. Check cubic metres as well as the total, and ask whether a reading was estimated if the bill does not make that clear. A low bill for an empty home says little about your cost when it is occupied. For a large or unexplained change, ask for the meter history and any records of repairs. Consider possible changes in use, for example more guests or summer irrigation, before assuming it is a leak. Ask the supplier or a plumber to investigate any unexplained consumption. ## Inspect the plumbing during the viewing With the seller’s permission, run a tap, flush a toilet and watch how a sink drains. Look under sinks for dampness, and ask whether the flow changes when two outlets are used. A short viewing can identify questions for an inspection, but cannot rule out a hidden leak or confirm pressure throughout the day. Locate the home’s shut-off valve and find out how to reach it in an emergency. If the meter or valve is behind a locked common door, ask who holds the key. Have a plumber check a stiff valve or signs of leakage rather than forcing the valve or disturbing the meter. ## Confirm the procedure for the exact address AGAMED distinguishes transfer, activation and connection. [2] San Miguel de Salinas lists separate water application procedures. [3] Orihuela’s council directs customers to Hidraqua. [4] Use the latest bill and the precise supply address to confirm the responsible provider and the procedure. A property’s marketing location is less useful than its actual address for this check. Ask the provider which documents, fees and steps apply. If water is off, ask what must be checked before service can begin. For new construction, ask the developer when the individual supply can be contracted and which documents they will provide. Do not budget around an assumed connection date. ## Make a handover and absence plan At handover, agree a dated meter reading with the seller and keep a photo of the reading and meter identifier, where accessible. Confirm who submits the request and how the final and first billing periods will be separated. Check the first bill against the agreed reading and the new account details. For a home that will be empty between visits, ask a plumber how to isolate the domestic supply without disrupting systems that must stay in use. Keep the provider’s fault contact, the key arrangements and any insurance conditions to hand. These checks are easier to organise before departure than from abroad. ## Questions about water when buying ### Can I budget from the seller’s last water bill? Use it as evidence of that billing period. Check fixed charges, actual consumption, occupancy and any water costs paid through the community. ### Does a working tap mean I only need to change the account holder? No. Confirm whether the individual supply is active and what the provider requires for the exact property. ### What should I record at handover? The date, meter identifier and agreed reading, plus who will submit the account request. Keep copies of the bill and any confirmation. ## Sources and further reading - [AGAMED — Entiende tu factura (Torrevieja)](https://www.agamed.es/entiende-tu-factura) - [AGAMED — Documentación de contratación](https://www.agamed.es/documentacion-contratacion) - [Ayuntamiento de San Miguel de Salinas — Trámites de abastecimiento y suministro de agua](https://www.sanmigueldesalinas.es/el-ayuntamiento/tramites-y-solicitudes/) - [Ayuntamiento de Orihuela — Ciclo hídrico](https://www.orihuela.es/desarrollo-de-la-ciudad/infraestructuras-y-mantenimiento/ciclo-hidrico/) Sources checked on 9 November 2026. Confirm property-specific documents, charges and service status directly with the responsible provider. ## Explore further - [Buying in Spain: the main guide](https://www.verdiestate.com/buying-in-spain) - [Explore San Miguel de Salinas](https://www.verdiestate.com/san-miguel-de-salinas) - [Explore Torrevieja](https://www.verdiestate.com/torrevieja) - [Explore Orihuela and Orihuela Costa](https://www.verdiestate.com/orihuela) - [Read our new-build handover checklist](https://www.verdiestate.com/blog/new-build-handover-costa-blanca-south-checklist) - [Discuss your home search with Verdi Estate](https://www.verdiestate.com/contact)