Water Bill

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The readings on my water meter have gone pair shaped since Apr-07. Allegedly my water provider state that they regularly sent out an agent to read my meter since that time (Apr-07) but for some reason or other they have totally fluffed the readings.

Basically, over a two year period from Apr-07 to Apr-09, my water consumption has been billed at half of what I would normally use.

I read my water meter a week ago and there is now a payment shortfall of about £300 for which I have been billed.

I spoke with the CS of my water provider and clearly showed/proved that my water consumption over a long period of time was about 165 cubic meters per year. This was accepted as a fact which it is.

I clearly showed that the billing applied over the 2 year period from Apr-07 to Apr-09 was billed at an abnormally low level and this purely due to incorrect meter readings. The water usage over that 2 year period was billed at 80 cubic meters / yr ie half. The CS rep clearly agreed that the billing over that 2 year period did not tally with the long term average water consumption.

The bill which I recently received has applied todays tariff for clean / waste water but I clearly proved that this water was used between Apr-07 & Apr-09.

In the first instance, I hope that I have explained myself clearly so far.

I fully accept that the water has been used but have a question.

Should I not be billed for this water at the rate which applied at the time when it was used. The difference between my fig and their invoice is small about £25.

Appreciate that I can write a letter to my water provider but in the first instance, I just wanted to know what the precedent is for this type of problem.

Any info much appreciated

Cheers

Toomuchdebt

Why did you not send them accurate readings in 3 years?I don't think you can avoid paying the extra £25 as you should really have informed them earlier that the bill wasn't right, not waited 3 years.

Cardew

I would ask for a goodwill payment of £25 to cover the 'loss'.

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Toomuchdebt said:
Why did you not send them accurate readings in 3 years?I don't think you can avoid paying the extra £25 as you should really have informed them earlier that the bill wasn't right, not waited 3 years.

Unfortunately, the water meter is situated in the pavement and until recently, I did know its precise location so could not read it.

It was only recently when the water utility company send out another so called representative to read my meter that I suspected things were going somewhat paired shaped. Reason being that subsequent to this recent meter reading I was informed that I had used no water at all over the last billing period and hence decided to investigate fully.

Cardew said:
I would ask for a goodwill payment of £25 to cover the 'loss'.

Perhaps that is the easiest option as I do not want to waste hours of my time over a relatively minor issue.

Cheers

Toomuchdebt

Ah that makes sense then-in that case ask them to waive the extra £25.