Water Bills questions and comment

Cardew

You are using twice the UK average for two adults.

No water company is ever required to introduce compulsory metering etc,

Clever wording, and undoubtedly true, however what if the legislation simply gave the water company the power to introduce compulsory metering etc etc?

I suggest you read the water privatisation legislation and perhaps this link:

http://www.ccwater.org.uk/waterissues/currentkeywaterissues/metering/

IMO the answers to your 3 questions are Q1 - yes, Q2 - No, Q3 - No

matelodave

As Cardew says you are using a lot of water for the two of you. 55cu.m is the average for one adult for a year, so your average should be about 25 a quarter.

Try reading your meter yourself weekly for a while to see when you are using it all. There's a lot you can do to reduce your consumption without being silly (like only flushing the loo once a day)

Showers can use a lot more than you think, especially if it's a power shower and you stand there for 10 minutes a day luxuriating in it.

At 15 litres a minute for 10 minutes = 150 litres x 7 days a week = 1 cu.m/week . Ours has a flow restrictor down to 6lpm and my shower time is 2 minutes = 12 litres/day = 1 cu.m every 12 weeks

Only use the washing machine & dishwasher when fully loaded, don't let water run down the sink when washing, rinsing or cleaning your teeth and only fill the kettle with enough for your needs. Some of these will save energy as well.

_Anna_

_Anna_ wrote: »

Dear all, I moved into a flat in the middle of October and applied for a single person water tariff. United Utilities that is the water provider told me that they can give me a single person tariff only if they cannot install an water meter and they will send an engineer to investigate this. Since there was a queue an engineer visited the flat only in January and he confirmed that they cannot fit an water meter. Today United Utilities sent me a letter where they say that they will give me a single person tariff since 5th January (the day when the engineer visited the flat). I checked the leaflet the engineer gave me and it says "when we receive your application we'll change your account details so you will pay an assessed charge from the date we decided your property could not be metered".
Does anyone know whether I can dispute this? I am a single tenant in the property since the middle of October and I cannot understand why I can get a discounted tariff since January only. Moreover, I had applied to the single person discount in the middle of November and it's the United Utilities responsibility (not mine) that they sent an engineer in January only.
I would be grateful if someone could clarify this issue.
Thank you.

It's a new part of the story: I emailed the Consumer Council of Water, they wrote to United Utilities and UU replied today. This is what they tell: "As you are aware, we fit domestic water meters free of charge and we aim to fit these within 12 weeks from the date we receive an application. You applied for a meter to be fitted on 20 November 2015 and we called at your property on 5 January 2016 to carry out a survey. As we were unable to fit a meter we offered and applied our 'Single person' tariff to your account with effect from 5 January 2016. Our single person tariff is only offered as an alternative once we have established that a meter cannot be fitted. As we called at your property within the 12 week period referred to above, we did not delay in carrying out the survey. Although we have correctly followed our free metering policy and procedures; as a gesture of goodwill, I have agreed to backdate the single person tariff to 20 November 2015, the date we received your application. "
Although they will refund money their policy seems me unfair. Why a person who lives alone has to pay a full tariff up to 12 weeks awaiting for a survey? Does anyone know what to do? Should I contact Consumer Council of Water again or there are another organizations that deal with unfair company's policies?
Thank you.

Cardew

_Anna_ wrote: »

Although they will refund money their policy seems me unfair. Why a person who lives alone has to pay a full tariff up to 12 weeks awaiting for a survey? Does anyone know what to do? Should I contact Consumer Council of Water again or there are another organizations that deal with unfair company's policies?
Thank you.

Anna,
The problem is The Water Act, with hundreds of amendments over the years, still leaves much to the discretion of individual water companies.



Amongst the many stupidities, inconsistencies and unfairness of water company practices, your issue is frankly way down the list. However, if you want to spend a couple of years lobbying Ofwat

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mickeymouse303

Once you're on a water meter, is it possible to go back?

anna42hmr

mickeymouse303 wrote: »

Once you're on a water meter, is it possible to go back?

if you are the person who requested it than yes you can go back to rateable bills, however the water companies allow only a set period of time, for example severn trent advised me i have until 30 days after my 4th metered bill (so aprox 2 years) other water co's have less (around a year).

however from what i understand, they don't remove the meter and any new occupants would be metered instead (i.e. if you move out). I also understand if you move into a property with a meter in place already you cannot ask to go back.

majorchudley

Afternoon

Just had new my new water bill for the year and the monthly standing order has gone up from £27.33 to £65.00 per month. There's only two of us and were out all day. Would having a Water Meter fitted cause this huge rise

Cardew

majorchudley wrote: »

Afternoon

Just had new my new water bill for the year and the monthly standing order has gone up from £27.33 to £65.00 per month. There's only two of us and were out all day. Would having a Water Meter fitted cause this huge rise

Welcome to the forum.


Lot more details needed before an answer can be given.


What water company?


When was meter fitted?


Dates covered by a bill?


How many cubic metres used?


Was there a debit balance on old bill?

majorchudley

Thanks ..here goes

Cambridge Water. Meter fitted about six months ago. Bill covers March 16 to March 17. Cubic metres charge 282m. Waste water volume 253m. Debit balance 46.24.

HayHoSunshine

We've twigged - and Thames Water have this week confirmed - that we've been charged/paying over £200 extra a year. £44 a month, over £500 a year for a 2-bed flat in London. In their own literature, they say the average max water bill is £300. We can't be metered as there's no stop tap in the flat.

When I asked for a rebate for the overpayments we've made since 2014 I was told no. The rates were set by the Land Registry in the 90s and Thames Water can only legally change them if the customer requests a change.

Is this true? By their own admission we've been paying too much through no fault of our own. And I think there's room to push back here.

Any sound advice, please?