£2,200 water bill and I'm really worried

RVK2

I wonder if any of you knowledgeable people can help.

I’ve received an enormous bill from Southern Water and I’m panicking slightly

Metered water/waste water service

(Reading at 7 July 2008 854m cubed)
Reading at 8 Jan 2009 1823 m cubed
Reading at 11 May 2009 1843m cubed

The bill is for a total of £2,226.24 based on the readings from 7 July 2008 to 11 May 2009.

I called Southern Water today who asked me to do a tap test. This I did and had a reading of 1809 and the dials weren’t moving. This would indicate that there is no leak. I have noted the difference in their most recent reading and mine.

So, how have I used so much water in 12 months?

I have a small two bedroom end of terrace house, daughter at school all day and I work full time. I don’t have a dishwasher or water my garden (use water from
water butt). I use a bucket to wash the car. 2/3 baths and 2/3 showers a week, between 3 and 5 washloads per week and no dripping taps. I am very water conscious and don’t run taps uneccesaarily.

Any suggestions on what to do next? Southern Water are calling me tomorrow and I need some kind of ‘plan’. If there’s no leak and I’m not filling an Olympic size swimming pool every day, where’s all the water gone?

Thanks for any suggestions and help

RVK2

Cardew

Were they your readings or Southern Water's readings?

If you now have a reading of 1809(for the water test) how do you get a reading of 1823 and 1843 several months earlier?

Without a massive leak (which would be noticeable) it would be impossible to use 969 cubic metres in 6 months between July 2008 and Jan 2009 - and leaks don't repair themslves.



On the face of things you simply have a defective meter.

Kavanne

there must be something wrong here!

I would say my water usage is similar to yours and we paid £26 a month which was TOO MUCH and this year our DD is reduced to £9pm!

RVK2

Cardew wrote: »

Were they your readings or Southern Water's readings?

If you now have a reading of 1809(for the water test) how do you get a reading of 1823 and 1843 several months earlier?

Without a massive leak (which would be noticeable) it would be impossible to use 969 cubic metres in 6 months between July 2008 and Jan 2009 - and leaks don't repair themslves.



On the face of things you simply have a defective meter.

Thank you for your comments Cardew, the readings were by Southern Water but the 1809 is the reading I took yesterday. I agree about the leak, IF there is one then it's not indoors!

I'll wait for the phone call and see what they say

RVK2

RVK2

Kavanne wrote: »

there must be something wrong here!

I would say my water usage is similar to yours and we paid £26 a month which was TOO MUCH and this year our DD is reduced to £9pm!

Kavanne,thank you also for your comments. Only 2 months ago they tried to up my direct debit to £36.50 a month and when I called them they agreed to £18 a month which was £2 less than I was paying!:rolleyes:

RVK2

lee12_2

Hi I agree with everyone something is not correct here we have a 3 bed semi but only two of us here but our usage over the year was a total reading of 72 units..some where in the back of my mind I remember seeing something in our house hold insurance for the cost of metered water lost. So is it worth seeing if you have anything like that and if yes talking to them they might chase the southern water because they wont want to pay out. anyway just a thought

taylor1137

i'm new to this and can't find how to post a thread cab someone please tell me i need advise on a water meter.

thanks

Hippychick

Go and visit your local citizens advice bureau, they are currently campaigning at the moment about Southern water because a lot of other people have also received huge bills. You're not alone.

Cardew

taylor1137 wrote: »

i'm new to this and can't find how to post a thread cab someone please tell me i need advise on a water meter.

thanks

You just click 'New Thread' on left near top of page.

lee12_2

taylor1137 wrote: »

i'm new to this and can't find how to post a thread cab someone please tell me i need advise on a water meter.

thanks

there also a new tread box at the bottom on the left of each section if that helps thats how I do it anyway.

ginvzt

RVK2 wrote: »

Thank you for your comments Cardew, the readings were by Southern Water but the 1809 is the reading I took yesterday. I agree about the leak, IF there is one then it's not indoors!

I'll wait for the phone call and see what they say

RVK2

Have you called them to say that the meter reading you see is 1809, which is less than they have for May 11th? If they took the reading from the same meter, it is obviously it is not working as it should be!