unexplainned rise in water usage - no leak help please

vulture

Hi My water usage has been between 50 -55 cubic meters per 6 months since I have lived at this address about 5 years my latest water bill shows 67 cubic meters. I have checked and have not got a leak (checked meter ).
I had a shower put in at christmas and I thought this would reduce usage futher not increase it. We are very careful with water and I cannot understand how my usage has gone up so much, I do occasionally water the garden when I have run out of water in my butts but certainly not in the last 6 months.
Is it possible my meter needs calibrating? does anyone know anything about this.

When I spoke to the water company and they advised about checking for a leak they were very blaise and said I still had very low water usage for a family of 4 so it wasnt a problem!!!

Any advice please

Dunroamin

If it's a power shower, I believe that they use more water than baths.

vulture

No not a power shower, I also brought a new washing machine in October which is A** rated for energy and water (brought a miele as I thought in the long term it would pay off with the length it lasted and its efficency) it should be using much less than my previous 10 year old unrated one

iammumtoone

Could it be down to the fact that the shower being new is a bit of a novelty and your family are spending a long time in it and using more water than they would a bath? Is the shower over the bath? next time someone uses it put the plug in just to test how much water it does use compared to the bath.

I know they say showers are suppose to be better but I am sure if I had one it wouldn't be as I stand around in them too long but when I have a bath I don't use much water and share the water with my 5 year old (he goes first)

vulture

Hi I dont think it is that, certainly not me or partener but I will get the kids to put the plug in and check how much they use, the youngest does enjoy standing in the shower but i would be surprised if she used more than 1/2 a bath so I shall check.
anyone know anything about meter calibration
thanks

Cardew

vulture wrote: »

anyone know anything about meter calibration
thanks

You can check the meter yourself. Most meters have 3 decimal digits in red which correspond to 100/10/1 litres. Fill a 5 litre container several times(or empty and refill your water butt) and the meter should record that consumption.

vulture

Great idea thankyou