High water meter charges?

earthbound_misfit

I had a meter installed early this year. The amount I was using was about £25 a month which seemed high for single occupancy, and hey presto it turned out there was a leak (broken valve in toilet cistern so a constant trickle of water was going through). At the time, the meter would slowly tick by even when no taps were turned on, as you might expect with a leak. The 'extra' amount I was using was in keeping with how much was being lost though this leak.
However, in the last two months since fixing the leak, my water usage has remained the same. The meter no longer ticks by when I am not using water. I just don't understand how this can be as my actual usage hasn't gone up. The meter readings are done by the water company by passing by the property with a remote meter-reading gadget, so I am assuming they are accurate.
I don't have a dishwasher, I run a bath about twice a week otherwise use shower (attached to bath taps), don't have a garden to water or anything like that, use the washing machine on average every 5 days. Although I may use the toilet more than average (sorry TMI lol) it definitely isn't more than twice as much as average, so why would my usage be on a par with the water company's expected usage for 2 people?

I don't understand why fixing the leak hasn't reduced my water usage, and am concerned that when I get a housemate the bills will double and be significantly higher than rates!

Any advice?

Cardew

You don't say in what area you live; don't forget that prices vary tremendously across the country. The South West pay about 3 times as much as some other areas.

Using the toilet frequently will use a lot of water - in many houses it accounts for the most water consumption.

The average consumption for a single person is approx 60 cubic metres a year(5 a month) so check your meter or bills.

earthbound_misfit

Thanks for that. I have checked the bill and am using 4 cubic metres a month. (I have one of those inflatable bags, and a brick, in the cistern which must help.)
I am in the North East; I've checked against the local water rates and if there were 2 people living here (thus doubling usage) it would be more expensive than the rates! £50/month for two on a water meter seems a lot!

earthbound_misfit

Also, when I got the meter they estimated £17 a month (for one person) which I had assumed was a generous estimation.

macman

Why not check the actual meter reading yourself as a first step?
You can still revert to RV billing if the meter was installed this year.

Cardew

macman wrote: »

You can still revert to RV billing if the meter was installed this year.

That is if the account holder applied for the meter; not if it was imposed by the water company.

macman

True, I was assuming that 'I had a water meter fitted' implied a voluntary choice to do so.

earthbound_misfit

Will look into it, I did actually apply for the meter, it is cheaper when it's just me but will be getting a housemate at some point. Will do all the calculations and see what's best!

macman

As I said, you only have 12m from install to revert to RV billing, so you need to make your mind up soon.