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Southern Water--Huge Meter Bill Caused By Leak

Southern Water changed our whole road to meters in January.
There are just two of us in a detached house and we pay £45 a month, estimated as a new meter but expected to go down when reviewed.


Got a letter today to say we are using 2000 litres of water a day and our yearly bill will be around £200 a month, £2400 a year!!.


After I got up off the floor I phoned them and, after them telling me how to check, it would seem there is a leak somewhere between the meter and our house.


I would have thought with that amount of water leaking out each day I would have seen some sign of it but there is nothing.


They are arranging for a repair team to contact me but I wondered what my position is. From what I have read the pipe with the presumed leak is my responsibility but Southern Water have a policy to repair free where practical.


The pipe runs in a line from the pavement straight along our paved drive and into the house.


How do they find out where the leak is--do they have to dig up the drive or can they pinpoint it to a smaller area and just dig that bit up. Then, would they replace the paving or do they leave it to me.


I'd be happy to hear of anyones experience in a case like this.
Waddle you do eh?

Comments

  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,048 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    Although anything after the meter(and under your land) is your responsibility, the normal policy is to carry out an initial repair free as a goodwill gesture. Also they will make an allowance for the leak on your bill.


    They can usually narrow down the search area with a listening device and will 'make good' after the repair.
  • daveoc22
    daveoc22 Posts: 246 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    Cardew wrote: »
    Although anything after the meter(and under your land) is your responsibility, the normal policy is to carry out an initial repair free as a goodwill gesture. Also they will make an allowance for the leak on your bill.


    They can usually narrow down the search area with a listening device and will 'make good' after the repair.



    Thanks,


    I was a bit panicky that I was going to be hit with a very large bill to sort it out. Sounds like it might not be as bad as I first feared.
    Waddle you do eh?
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