Water meters - pros and cons?

Cleopatra

Hello I had a water meter installed some years ago and it has resulted in my water bill reducing by nearly half. I like the idea that you only have to pay for what you use and that means you can economise and have some control over whazt you pay. Being careful and smart with your water usage isn't difficult once you get the hang of it!!

I live in Devon and our standard water rates are one of the biggest in the country. I think that's partly due to the amount of coastline that SouthWestWater has to maintain. I think there should be a small surcharge on top of holiday-makers' accomodation bill which is ear-marked for SWW since it is those visitors who enjoy the beaches and yes, I realise this is a controversial view!!

Anyway-I have several easy ways to reduce my water usage- some of which require a bit of effort but are worth it just to see how much money can be saved. And of course we all need to be a bit sensible with water for enviromental reasons.

KxMx

When the rates hit nearly £50 per month we went on a meter and haven't looked back. Our Aug-Jan bill was under £80 and £49 of that was sewerage. We're two people & a cat in a 3 bed semi with no shower and 2 toilets.
With a couple of jugs and a few bowls you can save and re-use alot of water!
Also, after much hassling Anglian Water, they gave us a swipe card to put money on- really handy and that's money you don't have to pay when the bill comes.

linny89

hey need abit of advice, im a single mum of one and i just had my first water bill, £448.15 from 1/4/08 till 17/3/09 with dwr cymru. im unmetered and wondering if i should go metered..seems like alot of people are saving with it.

if i do go to metered, will i still have to pay that for this yr? or does it swap over instantly?..bit clueless!

Cardew

linny89 wrote: »

hey need abit of advice, im a single mum of one and i just had my first water bill, £448.15 from 1/4/08 till 17/3/09 with dwr cymru. im unmetered and wondering if i should go metered..seems like alot of people are saving with it.

if i do go to metered, will i still have to pay that for this yr? or does it swap over instantly?..bit clueless!

Welcome to the forum.

If you get a meter you start paying from the date it is fitted - normally takes a few weeks from your application.

With 2 people you should save quite a bit with a meter.

The beauty is that you can get a meter fitted and see if it is cheaper. If not you can change back to the system you are on now as long as you do so in the first 12 months.

fiddling_flower_petals

Hi, this is my first post, so please be gentle! I've been lurking around forum for a month now and think it's great and some great advice offered by members.

Anyway, enough of the ego massaging for now.

Any chance you can post annual water consumption? or how much it cost per month/annum and your supplier, so i can calculate consumption?
A brief water usage breakdown would be fantastic too?

I've tried to calculate our consumption on uswitch, which results in £100 per year saving, but also used UU calculator which results in an approx breakeven.( mmmm )

I've just received my annual bill for water from United Utilities, £520.29 based on RV, an increase of approx 8%.
Seriously looking at changing to meter, 2 adults and 2 small children.

Art_2

fiddling_flower_petals wrote: »

Hi, this is my first post, so please be gentle! I've been lurking around forum for a month now and think it's great and some great advice offered by members.

Anyway, enough of the ego massaging for now.

Any chance you can post annual water consumption? or how much it cost per month/annum and your supplier, so i can calculate consumption?
A brief water usage breakdown would be fantastic too?

I've tried to calculate our consumption on uswitch, which results in £100 per year saving, but also used UU calculator which results in an approx breakeven.( mmmm )

I've just received my annual bill for water from United Utilities, £520.29 based on RV, an increase of approx 8%.
Seriously looking at changing to meter, 2 adults and 2 small children.

Contact your water company and they will send you a calculator that you can use to show your usage and work out your savings.

Your present bill is high but we don't know how many people are in your family. On a meter I pay £11 a month as a guide, living on my own.

Regards,
Art.

fiddling_flower_petals

Thanks Art

Our family consists of 2 adults and 2 children, as posted.

i've checked with my suppliers online water consumption calculator, which resulted in breakeven.

How accurate have these been?

Like I mentioned in first post, water calculator on uswitch, resulted in £100 savings?

If there is anybody of similar family size, please post water consumption(as prices vary from supplier to supplier and brief description of water usage.

Thanks

Cardew

ffp
The average consumption is 60 cubic metres per person per year. Most people can reduce that if they are careful with water.

So with 4 people that is 240 cu mtrs per year.

Check your company using those figures.

gzed

Hi,

I am currently with Northumbrian Water. Current bill is £305 for 2008/2009. We are 2 leaving in the property, and usually not in during the day. We don't have a dishwasher but use the washing machine at least every other day (we are both athletes with smelly clothes). I've just requested a free save-a-flush kit from NW. I only take showers but my wife also takes a couple of bath a week. A quarter/third of the bath fill with water.

According to the calculators from Uswitch and Northumbrian Water I would save £30-50 a year. Also these are only estimations.

Could anyone using Northumbrian water give me some feedback. Have you gained by switching. Anyone who hasn't saved by switching?

Cardew

gzed wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently with Northumbrian Water. Current bill is £305 for 2008/2009. We are 2 leaving in the property, and usually not in during the day. We don't have a dishwasher but use the washing machine at least every other day (we are both athletes with smelly clothes). I've just requested a free save-a-flush kit from NW. I only take showers but my wife also takes a couple of bath a week. A quarter/third of the bath fill with water.

According to the calculators from Uswitch and Northumbrian Water I would save £30-50 a year. Also these are only estimations.

Could anyone using Northumbrian water give me some feedback. Have you gained by switching. Anyone who hasn't saved by switching?

Look at Northumbrian Water's metered rates for 120 cubic meters a year and see what that costs.(water, sewerage and standing charges)

However you can have a meter fitted and see what your consumption is like. If it is not finacially advantageous you can revert back to your current billing system.