Water meters - pros and cons?

trevored

Hi We are two adults with a 4 bed house in a South Staffs water area.

I have been on a meter for last 12 years & wouldn't go back to the old water rates system. We shower more than having a bath & wash two cars using a hose.

We collect rainwater from the garden shed in a water butt which we use for watering the garden. Average quarterly bill is £41.75 making it £167 per year.

Originally South staffs water advised me that if there were 2-3 persons in the house then it was cheaper to be on the meter, 3-4 persons the bills would be about the same as water rates. Over 4 persons & it would be more expensive being on the meter. I have found this to be true some one in the same area in a similar house also only having two adults residing pays nearly £400 a year water rates. So no competition as far as I'm concerned.

I hope this helps someone.

$17mma

We have decided to move to a water meter. There are four of us and they have told us that we can try it out for 12months at no cost and if there is no benefit then we can change it back to monthly estimates.

Will give it a go. If no improvement within 6 months then we will change back at no cost.

gaggyball

I have just completed the free 12 month period with Severn Trent after agreeing to having a water meter fitted.

I live in a 4 bed detached and we are a family of 5. I decided to try the water meter after reading many postings on this site suggesting that I could probably save money. In order to get a good comparison we did not change a thing about our water usage and carried on as though we had not had it installed.

Over the 12 months I am £107 in CREDIT!!!

I think that I will definately stay with the meter

gaggyball

You need to stick it out for 12 months to get a comparison with water rates.

Art_2

gaggyball wrote:

You need to stick it out for 12 months to get a comparison with water rates.

Yes you are right, you have to give it a year to see what effect it has on your bills. I have been on a meter for some years and am very happy with the savings.

My only concern is what will happen to the costs once everyone has a meter. I fear the water companies will increase the cost to recoup the money they are losing from those on meters. Me, a cynic??

Regards,
Art.

candygirl

I had my meter fitted yesterday, i live alone and have showers instead of baths.my current water bills are £28 a month so im hoping to make quite a saving!!watch this space!!:j :j

redneck

1st bill in on a water meter, so far a 50% saving \o/, and thats including a new combi boiler system being drained 3 times, and a water bed that blew up.
You do get paranoid about how much water you are using, and come up with some imaginative ways of saving it
As they say up there ^^ you have an option to revert back to unmetered.

Question : my lawn looks Awful, does grass like washing up liquid ?? {after Iv'e done my pots and pans in a bowl full of water of course!}

Next is gas & electric, upping another 10% I hear in the next two weeks, so yup, I'm finally going to switch.


edit : p.s, get a water butt off your water supplier - much cheaper than local d.i.y. I also have buckets, cat trays, and washing up bowls in my garden

Art_2

redneck wrote:

1st bill in on a water meter, so far a 50% saving \o/, and thats including a new combi boiler system being drained 3 times, and a water bed that blew up.
You do get paranoid about how much water you are using, and come up with some imaginative ways of saving it
As they say up there ^^ you have an option to revert back to unmetered.

Question : my lawn looks Awful, does grass like washing up liquid ?? {after Iv'e done my pots and pans in a bowl full of water of course!}

Next is gas & electric, upping another 10% I hear in the next two weeks, so yup, I'm finally going to switch.


edit : p.s, get a water butt off your water supplier - much cheaper than local d.i.y. I also have buckets, cat trays, and washing up bowls in my garden

Gardens love used washing up water and bath/shower water. Just check it's not too greasy from the pots and pans.

Regards,
Art.

PabloNeruda

As I student I tend to bath a little less than I should, so I guess I should consider a water meter, eh?

kenshaz

Should be able to bathe as normal,and still save