Water Meters on house without sewerage

MortgageMamma

I've just moved into a new house with a water meter. First of all, we can't locate the water meter - apparently its in the fields somewhere we have looked but can't find it and the water board can't help! I cant understand why this meter is not in my house

Never had one of these before, but we have just got out bill and it includes sewerage. I don't think we should have to pay this as we have a septic tank -does anyone know anything about this?

N79

Sewerage charges usually have two components

1. Surface run off
2. Sewerage

Your bill could refer to surface run off. Do your drainpipes drain into the main drain (in which case you should be paying the surface water charge to the water company)? If they drain onto your own land, eg via a soakaway, and all sewage is going into a tank, then you should not have any sewerage charge. However, many water companies get this one wrong on their house records since they seem to assume you owe them money!

As for the meter, it will never be in your house and in rural areas can not even be on your property! It will be located somewhere underground on the rising main between the road water main and where the rising main enters your house. Normally, this means in the middle of the pavement, but it sounds like your house is quite remote. It is very likely to be near the road where the water main is located as any rising main run to your house is your responsibility if there is a leak. The water company would hate to not be able to bill you if there was a leak! Since they will need to read the meter, push the company hard for any hints on the location! Otherwise, you will need the house plans and a compass!

Good Luck

BobProperty

MortgageMamma wrote: »

I've just moved into a new house with a water meter. First of all, we can't locate the water meter - apparently its in the fields somewhere we have looked but can't find it and the water board can't help! I cant understand why this meter is not in my house

Sometimes they are put just inside the boundary of the property. It will likely be where the mains stop tap is so it's worth finding for two reasons.

MortgageMamma wrote: »

Never had one of these before, but we have just got out bill and it includes sewerage. I don't think we should have to pay this as we have a septic tank -does anyone know anything about this?

I think you can avoid the sewerage bit, either wholly or in part, but I have heard of the situation where, if the surface water runs into a public drain, it is payable, (or was as it's a few years back).

MortgageMamma

Hi

We've just been out and had a look and our surface water actually runs into the lake we are situated next to, the nearest road where the could be water mains is 1/2 a mile away so I will have a walk up there in a bit and see if I can see anything

thanks

ffacoffipawb

N79 wrote: »

As for the meter, it will never be in your house .....

Ours is - in the cupboard under the sink!

Lorian

MortgageMamma wrote: »

Hi

We've just been out and had a look and our surface water actually runs into the lake we are situated next to, the nearest road where the could be water mains is 1/2 a mile away so I will have a walk up there in a bit and see if I can see anything

thanks

Send them documentary proof you don't use their drains. If you have no plans take photos of the sceptic tank, and also of the surface water run off. Submit this to your water company, and you should get a refund and have it removed from future bills.

There is the question of back dated refunds too, which should be available too. As to who they pay these to in the circumstances where you are the new tennant - In theory they are owed to the previous owner.

When we moved in we didn't realise for two years they were charging us for sewerage and run-off. Thankfully we had the plans to help us. We claimed and got two years back. Subsequently the bills have only been for water :j

N79

Sorry ffacoffipawb, never is too strong a word. It would be unusual for a new house to have a water meter within the actual building would have been more correct. With property, anything goes and there is always an exception.

Mortgagemamma, just a note of caution. You may find the water company own the lake (if you do not). In which case, they may say that you owe them the surface run off charge anyway. Otherwise, you may have to pay the landowner (or is that lakeowner)! Check the covenants on the title of the house about drainage.

N79

Madmel

Our property consists of 2 cottages plus the house. Both cottages have water meters; one under the bath but there is an access door, and the other under the kitchen sink. As N79 says, neither of these is a modern building. Just before Christmas, the water company came & fitted those remote reading meter things so they didn't have to disturb us to read them and could take readings from outside.

We have our own sewerage system and so don't pay anything for sewerage or drainage to the water company. However, the previous owners told us to keep accurate records of the servicing of the private system for the Environment Agency. We have permission to discharge water into the stream opposite, but require a certificate from the EA to allow this to happen.

Perhaps MortgageMamma could contact them locally and see if they have any record of the discharge into the lake. This may be a 2-edged sword - you might be alerting them to something which could cause you expense and hassle, but then you would at least have a strong case to put to your water company.