Fighting with Southern Water

funkyfunkymonkey

Jo* wrote: »

It wasnt a brand new meter when i moved in but i know that when the engineers came out to confirm that the meters were mixed up, they reset my true meter to zero for some reason. Would that make a difference?

Are you sure the meter was reset to zero? I didn't think meters could be reset

FFM

deanos

no meters cant be reset, they may have installed a new one

Jo*_2

Really??? Thats weird cos the engineer really wasnt here long. He knocked on the door, asked me to confirm the problem, went outside, came back and asked me to turn on the water, went back, said which meter was mine, and left saying i'd be getting a letter. There wasnt time to fit a new one

Although saying that, i went off to work after, and apparently the meter later said somethign like 340cubic meters so i spose they did come back

Why would they need to fit a new one? All they need to do is bill the right person for the right meter surely?

funkyfunkymonkey

Depending on the type of meter you have fitted, it would not take long to replace it. They simply screw out the old one and screw in a new one. The new one would be set to roughly zero, although there may be a minimal reading due to factory testing.

The meter should have a serial number on it which should tie up with the number on your bill. Can you see into the meter pit sufficiently to read the serial number to check?

Deanos earlier advice on estimating your consumption is worth doing.

"Just do a quick calculation, take a reading today including red digits and then again in 7 days, x your usage by 52 and there is your annual bill , divide this by 12 and this is roughly how much you should be paying a month."

If you don't get it sorted it is worth getting the Consumer Council involved, the water company will be more motivated to sorting out your problem - or at least explaining why they are right.

FFM

Jo*_2

Thank you funky. I plan to do everything that everyone on here has suggested. I'm very impressed with all the responses with advice. Its just that i've barely had a chance to reply on here, let alone do anything else but i plan to write to southern water tonight and contact the ccw.

I did look at the meter after the guy left and i think it had the serial number of the meter i should have had in the first place. But i'll check again on my way out later

funkyfunkymonkey

Good luck Jo, and keep us posted, it's good to know how people get on.

FFM

Jo*_2

I have emailed both Southern Water and the CCW and i'll be sending a hard copy to Southern Water. Lets see what happens.

I didnt manage to check the meter but i'll do that tomorrow. I'll let you know how i get on. Thanks everyone for your help so far. Its been very much appreciated

Jo*_2

funkyfunkymonkey wrote: »

Depending on the type of meter you have fitted, it would not take long to replace it. They simply screw out the old one and screw in a new one. The new one would be set to roughly zero, although there may be a minimal reading due to factory testing.

The meter should have a serial number on it which should tie up with the number on your bill. Can you see into the meter pit sufficiently to read the serial number to check?

I checked the meter yesterday. Its the same number now as it was before the engineer came out.. If the meter was replaced, would it have a new number?

funkyfunkymonkey

Yes, if it was a new meter it would have a different number. Each meter has a unique number. On some makes it is the first two digits that indicate the date of manufacture. This Actaris brochure shows meters manufactured in the year 2007. http://www.actaris.com/html/index.php?module=actaris&func=viewmedia&idmp=7496

FFM

lexie2005

Cardew wrote: »

If you phone you will be wasting your time, the call centre are not interested in problems and you will be fobbed off.

Write - not email - and include a copy to the Consumer Council for Water.

Sorry for your problems hope you get them sorted but can i just say in the defence of "call centre agents who are not interested & will fob you off" that is not the case, we do care but are not given the authority to deal with all problems. If you think what has been said is not what you said in the call you are entitled to a copy of the transcript of the call. I agree though that if you want everything documenting exactly then email or write to Southern Water. Good Luck with it.....