Born on the 27th of November, 1958, in Lincolnshire, Waterhouse grew up in Scarborough until the family moved to Gainsborough and he was educated at the local grammar school before moving on to Newcastle University and Wye College where he studied environmental science. Afterwards, he lectured at Kirkley Hall Agricultural College but he also wrote poetry at the time.

Waterhouse was also a devoted supporter in the Trees For Life programme and planted many trees in Northumberland. However, just a year before he was said to become a writer in residence in 2002, he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. His works and demeanour were not at first suggestive of such internal turmoil. He died on the 20th of October, 2001.