Water bills cost cutting article

jollyanna

Wessex Water have just told me that my bill for next year will be £810 !
My house is modest and non-descript compared to some round here. I've looked into having it metered but seems we'd pay even more. I feel like running all the taps for 24 hours ! Now having discussions about downsizing house for smaller bills. Is it worth registering any comments with Offwat ?

Cardew

jollyanna wrote:

Wessex Water have just told me that my bill for next year will be £810 !
My house is modest and non-descript compared to some round here. I've looked into having it metered but seems we'd pay even more. I feel like running all the taps for 24 hours ! Now having discussions about downsizing house for smaller bills. Is it worth registering any comments with Offwat ?

Why does it seem you will pay even more?

Few families pay more than £400-500 on a meter and most much less.

On the unmetered tariff at 2006 rates I would be paying £1,190 - metered I pay around £400.

On a Meter it largely doesn't matter how big or small your house is, it depends on the amount of water you use; and that is generally a function of how many people are in the property.

You can have a meter fitted and in the unlikely event it does cost more you can revert back to being assessed as previously.

So what have you got to lose?

lovelyjubbly

We have just received our water rates statement for 2007/8 it is £145.32 for the whole year, and I thought that was a lot, I feel really sorry for some of the people on here!
we have a detached bungalow, but, living in the country, we have our own drainage/sewerage so our cost is just for incoming water, is there any chance of any of you going onto private drainage? it would save you all a bomb!

jollyanna

In reply to Cardew #83. I tried an online calculator for our usage (average of 6 people for most of the day, using the loo, making drinks, bath and shower, loads of washing) and the total amount worked out at far more than the 05/06 payments. I use 2 water-butts for the garden and never wash my car. Working on the basis of Martin's article, that if there are more people than bedrooms ,a meter might not cut your costs, I'm probably best to stay as I am until my kids leave home.

Cardew

jollyanna wrote:

In reply to Cardew #83. I tried an online calculator for our usage (average of 6 people for most of the day, using the loo, making drinks, bath and shower, loads of washing) and the total amount worked out at far more than the 05/06 payments. I use 2 water-butts for the garden and never wash my car. Working on the basis of Martin's article, that if there are more people than bedrooms ,a meter might not cut your costs, I'm probably best to stay as I am until my kids leave home.

As I said above:

You can have a meter fitted and in the unlikely event it does cost more you can revert back to being assessed as previously.

So what have you got to lose?

You will know very quickly - just read your meter - if it is going to be more expensive and just change back.

I do appreciate that Wessex water are more expensive than other authorities; but is it not worth giving it a try?

Rabiddog_2

I am on unemployment benefit AND live in a small flat on my own, I dont have a dishwasher or clothes dryer or a shower (for a long time I didnt have any hot water!). I bathe once a week sometimes not at my flat. Yet despite this I cannot get a water meter and thames has never offered me any reduced charge and has threatened me with the bailiffs for not paying. Surely there must be some sort of reduced charge, if not **** the environment my taps are going on twenty four seven! I am angry that I am paying a debt collector 10 per month to pay off my water bill of £300 plus!

flipflopnick

To save MSE forum user's time here are the direct links (correct at time of posting) for United Utilities rebate forms. <-- good search terms?

Under LIBRARY, Application forms, on UnitedUtilities.com

United Utilities waste surface water rebate PDF
http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=1480&ID=978&AC=6
Cost of a stamp, envelope and printout.

United Utilities Application forms page http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=1479

Hope that helps.

Dina_Dastardly

Does any one know if you should pay sewage charges if your waste water is channelled to a cesspit.
This has to be emptied and we have to bear the cost, so in effect we are paying twice for the treatment of sewage!:mad:

woodworker_2

Anyone a consumer law expert out there? My water is metered, but comes from a private supply. Wessex Water have just installed sewers in the village, and now want to charge me a sewerage charge based on rateable value, not metered use. They refuse to accept evidence of my consumption going back 16 years! I have been through their complaints procedure and am about to contact the Consumer Council for Water. Has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks.

topbuzz

Last year in my flat I paid £14/month water (metered, 2 ppl, 2 beds, dish washer, showers).
Then I moved house to an un-metered service (still 2ppl, 3 beds, dish washer and showers) - they charged me £30/month!
So I've now got them to put a meter in an I hope it gets back down to £15/month

PS, the toliet cistern bag does work. Plus (some ppl may be put off by this) don't always flush the toliet eveytime you use it. So wait till everyone in the house has their wee in the morning & then flush it - this does save a stagering amount of water.

So the saying goes

Ifs its yellow, leave it to mellow, if its brown, flush it down