They are installing a water meter against my wishes

silvercar

The RV of my house was set when it was a 3 bed house. There has been no mechanism to increase RVs when homes are extended.

Now there are 3 bathrooms with power showers + washing machine + dishwasher + 2 boilers + a large lawn to water. 3 or 4 of us depending and we all spend far too long in the shower. Hence my reluctance to go to a meter.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

Can you explain that to the guy in a studio flat on the 4th floor?

Its received wisdom in uk that the balconies of flats can only take plants planted in light polysterene mixes. In italy I've seen balconies squashed full with multiple and not tiny trees, and a water butt. A flat that came from a garden could always consider things like syphoning: but it would seem a fairly labour intensive job for the amounts of water involved. The simplest form of grey water recycling, with a ''switch'' pipe (can't remember proper name) would therotecally be possible, but Lydia J's point about detergent would reappear because there is no filtration at all. Still, some people do it. There are, I'm sure, diy instructions on the net and I think I saw instructions on the tv years ago.

Its an interesting point: personally even if there was room the idea of having an internal grey water unit doesn't appeal (noise and space) but I can't think of a reason new buildings couldn't incorporate them as part of the infrastructure of the building as a whole.

birkee

ruggedtoast wrote: »

How can I stop them?

I'm sick of this, first unlimited internet goes, and now unlimited water.

I presume they intend to do something in the street as there is no way anyone will let them in. What can I do? I will happily park my Nissan anywhere I need to stop them getting into my man-hole.

I'm absolutely furious about this.

:mad:

Then stop buying their water!
It's theirs to sell as they want.

ceridwen

MacMickster wrote: »

This is the key. The water company's profits will remain the same. They currently charge metered households less than those without, to encourage installation of meters. Once the majority are metered however then their charges will obviously be increased to maintain the profit levels.

People will then try to use less water to keep their bills down, which will lead to further price increases to maintain profit levels. The consumer will not win.

As I understand it - this is indeed the case.

So - as a single householder (ie getting overcharged for every darn bill going in comparison to other households:() it does put me into the "moral bind" situation of "I've got a water meter to save money - but I dont feel I can urge other people to get one as well - because I know it will cost ME money in the longer term if they do so". So nice of them to put me into a "moral bind" situation - by now I'll admit to "If others dont feel guilty about taking child benefit money - then I wont feel guilty about anything I get" - in this case having savings from having that meter.

birkee

LydiaJ wrote: »

Seriously, why is it so important to you to stop them doing something that will probably save you money? But in answer to your question, you don't need to park your car anywhere. All the water meters I've ever seen have been fitted inside the property.

PS If you're so keen on the river water and sea water then help yourself. Nobody's stopping you.

Agree with the point, but must correct the statement. It may be true for YOU, but it's not true in general.
Water meters are also fitted on the stop tap (won't let me use the correct word.) in the street, either your choice, for a fee,..... or free if they can't access the rising main in the property.
(Having to uninstall kitchen units to fit one.)

Addition: Should have mentioned this is in the Severn Trent water area.

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

Its received wisdom in uk that the balconies of flats can only take plants planted in light polysterene mixes. In italy I've seen balconies squashed full with multiple and not tiny trees, and a water butt. .

Have you ever noticed that most flats in the UK don't have balconies at all? It's just posher flats usually. Even those Juliette balconies are 'a bit on the posh side'

PasturesNew

ceridwen wrote: »

As I understand it - this is indeed the case.

So - as a single householder (ie getting overcharged for every darn bill going in comparison to other households:() it does put me into the "moral bind" situation of "I've got a water meter to save money - but I dont feel I can urge other people to get one as well - because I know it will cost ME money in the longer term if they do so". So nice of them to put me into a "moral bind" situation - by now I'll admit to "If others dont feel guilty about taking child benefit money - then I wont feel guilty about anything I get" - in this case having savings from having that meter.

As a single you're still penalised as a bill consists of two parts:
- the standing charge
- the water used

So you'd probably find half your bill is standing charge.

LydiaJ

birkee wrote: »

Agree with the point, but must correct the statement. It may be true for YOU, but it's not true in general.
Water meters are also fitted on the stop tap (won't let me use the correct word.) in the street, either your choice, for a fee,..... or free if they can't access the rising main in the property.
(Having to uninstall kitchen units to fit one.)

Addition: Should have mentioned this is in the Severn Trent water area.

I knew I wasn't an expert and hadn't a clue whether my experience was generally applicable, which is why I didn't claim that all water meters are inside the property, merely that all those that I have seen have been inside the property - which remains true even though I am now aware (thanks to this thread) that meters are also often fitted outside. As it happens, I am also in the Severn Trent area.

PasturesNew wrote: »

Have you ever noticed that most flats in the UK don't have balconies at all? It's just posher flats usually. Even those Juliette balconies are 'a bit on the posh side'

True, but I think it's becoming a lot more common to include balconies in new build flats.

silvercar

I've never understood the purpose of Juliette balconies.

vivatifosi

silvercar wrote: »

I've never understood the purpose of Juliette balconies.

Estate agency speak: the julette balcony allows full access to beautiful views across....

MSE speak: you've just bought an overpriced box. The juliette balcony is just a big window that will let the heat out in summer. It will also enable you to hear the shouts and screams of your neighbours who have their juliette balconies open in Summer. The wrought iron frontage will stop the kids that you have falling out because you won't be able to afford to sell up and move somewhere bigger.