Water meters - pros and cons?

Cardew

modoos wrote: »

definitely if there arnt many of you in a household go for a meter, i did it and im saving already. you have a year to change back I think.

Not definitely!


We get post after post on this subject with people's personal circumstances given as absolute proof that metered water charges are cheaper or more expensive.


Because many properties were last assessed over 40 years ago their Rateable Values(RV) are incredibly low and hence unmetered charges are really low.


Take Severn Trent 2015/16 unmetered charges, there are no standing charges and a minimum charge of £93.80. Bills of £150 are not uncommon.


If metered the average consumption is 55m3 per person.


The standing charges are £43pa and @ £2.36m3 a single occupant with average consumption would pay £173 and a couple £303.

matelodave

Compare Severn Trent with Anglian Water's charges which are £224.26 + £0.1375 per £ RV for water and £259.50 + £0.1425 per R RV for sewerage so you've got over £480 before you add on the RV element.

Metered its £26 for water, £86 for sewerage and just under £3.00cu.m for water & sewerage combined, which means you've got to use at least 125cu.m just to cover the unmetered standing charges without taking RV into account as well.

So it does depend a lot on where you live and who your suppliers are as well

urgot

Are there some options to fool the water meter?

Mojisola

urgot wrote: »

Are there some options to fool the water meter?

Are you asking for ways to commit fraud?

lukieboy96

I am glad I have gone over to water meter. I am in credit by over £100 and my DD is now only £1!! Only me who lives here.
Just waiting to see if the other goes down as a result! Good year as electric DD only £1 as in credit by a lot too!!

lukieboy96

kev2006n wrote: »

In this weeks news letter, 23/3/15, a woman claimed to have her water bill reduced from £65 per month to £4.50 a month. Don't think this can be possible. My standing charges are more than that. Perhaps some claims should be checked before being entered into the newsletter.


We have recently moved to a house (2+ years) with a water meter. Just 2 of us and we spend 5 months of the year abroad. The bills are incredible. So high. I would never pick a meter. We are careful with water usage and still find the bills unreasonable. (We did have a leak which took 14 months to sort out. We know turn stopcock off every time we go away.)


My advice is do not switch. However, if you don't wash, shower or clean then there might be a chance for a small saving.

It is possible because as I am in credit by over £100 my DD is now £1! My water charge for 6 months was £31.85, including standing charge. But only me in property.

Cardew

urgot wrote: »

Are there some options to fool the water meter?

Yes, reverse the flow

King_Slayer

urgot wrote: »

Are there some options to fool the water meter?

Ofcourse, Don't turn on the tap. :rotfl:

silvercar

urgot wrote: »

Are there some options to fool the water meter?

I have seen people having their driveways jet washed with long hose pipes stretching from neighbours 2-3 houses down, seems they use someone else's non metered supply.

happyandcontented

Just looking to reduce our outgoings and our water bill is over £700pa. From September we will only be a two adult family so I am wondering if we should think about changing over?

Is there a way to calaculate a saving?