Bill seems very high.

macman

Since metered prices can vary by as much as 250% depending on region, that's not so surprising.

dap123

Something similar has recently happened to me. South West Water wanted to increase my monthly payments from £77 to £98. When I phoned them they tried to tell me I must be using more water as they do read the meter every 6 months and it showed that consumption had increased for the last 2 readings. When I questioned this further and wouldn't go away they eventually suggested that I may have a leak and that I needed to do a leak test. This involves taking a meter reading, not using any water for an hour then taking another reading. It did show there was a leak. You then need to try to isolate whereabouts the leak may be by repeating the test again but with the stopcock inside the house turned off. When we did this it proved the leak was outside the house. If it was on our land (IE our garden etc) then we were liable but if it was outside our boundary (IE pavement/council owned bank etc) the SWW would be liable. They then tried to tell me that I needed to find the leak myself, claim off my insurance but if South West Water were liable then they would recompense me. After much debate as to why I should have to claim off my insurance if it was their responsibility, SWW sent someone who fixed the leak. It was the joint from the pipework to the meter so definately up to them to sort out. :T
I then could claim a refund of up to one year's worth of water lost because of the leak which I have done. They have given me a credit for a nice sum but I must phone them and request a refund - better in my account than theirs. :T

I am now waiting to see how much a month they will want from me now.

Sorry for the long story but trying to say that it is worth looking into as water companies would rather put up people's payments than spend time/money looking for leaks.

Cardew

Most water companies will carry out a one-off 'goodwill' repair of a leak when under house owner's land(i.e. house owner's responsibility)

dap123

That's worth knowing but funnily enough South West Water didn't mention that when they were trying to get me to sort out their leak!:cool:

gazabob

Hello I was wondering if I could get feedback from other south west water customers, I live in Torquay in an unmetered 3 bedroom ex council house and I am being charged the following:
Water charges
Usage charge Rateable value £161 x 1.5066 £242.56
Standing charge £142.20 per year £142.20
Total water charges £384.76

Sewerage charges
Usage charge Rateable value £161 x 2.9462 £474.34
Standing charge £131.90 per year £131.90
Total sewerage charges £606.24

Total charges on this bill £991.00
Is this common for other south west water users?

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately the charges in the South West are the highest in the UK by a long way. They are shown here

http://www.southwestwater.co.uk/media/pdf/g/f/Charges_scheme_12-13_final.pdf

Firstly a Rateable Value(RV) of £161 is quite low. However with that RV in some places in UK you would pay about £300 pa

Your water charges are exactly as shown in the above link.

Your sewerage charges include a charge for surface water drainage, for which you possibly could claim relief* However the charges are again as shown in the link.

It might be cheaper to get a meter - it depends on the number of people in your property. The average consumption is approx 55 cubic metres per person per year and the charges are agin shown in the link.

* look up Surface Water Drainage in this section to see if you can claim relief from this charge.

dap123

gazabob wrote: »

Hello I was wondering if I could get feedback from other south west water customers, I live in Torquay in an unmetered 3 bedroom ex council house and I am being charged the following:
Water charges
Usage charge Rateable value £161 x 1.5066 £242.56
Standing charge £142.20 per year £142.20
Total water charges £384.76

Sewerage charges
Usage charge Rateable value £161 x 2.9462 £474.34
Standing charge £131.90 per year £131.90
Total sewerage charges £606.24

Total charges on this bill £991.00
Is this common for other south west water users?

Hello Gazabob
I also have the pleasure of living in the area covered by South West Water. I have documented my latest saga with them above!!
There are 4 in our household - 2 adults, 2 teens (1 boy who doesn't wash and 1 girl who is always in the shower:)), the washing machine is used 3-4 times a week, I rarely water the garden and we don't wash any cars here. We have a water meter and currently pay £77 per month (IE £924 per year) although this may be reduced when they have sorted out the cost implications of the leak I have had for approx. a year.
I think with regards to getting a water meter installed, it really does depend on how many people in your household etc. We have had our meter for 10 years but my parents changed to a meter a few years ago and I think they were told that if the bill wasn't less than being rated, they could have the meter taken back out again - although I would check this with SWW.

Good luck.:cool:

Cardew

dap123 wrote: »

but my parents changed to a meter a few years ago and I think they were told that if the bill wasn't less than being rated, they could have the meter taken back out again - although I would check this with SWW.

Good luck.:cool:

Yes you have 12 months to revert back to charges based on Rateable Value(RV)

Actually they don't remove the meter, it is left there for future occupants or if the householder's circumstances change - children fleeing the nest etc.

macman

Pedant's corner- you can switch back within 12m whether the metered bills are higher or not.
The meter is left in place because the next occupier will be metered compulsorily.

beachboyy

Contacting with the concern department will surly be helpful to overcome this issue.