water meter - worth getting?

27col

My water costs dropped by more than half when I changed to a meter some years ago. Even with some increases, I still pay far less than I ever did when the costs were based on rateable value.
Plus, it does tend to concentrate the mind if there is a drip or a leak. You fix them quickly as, even a small drip can let a lot of water by in a 24 hour period.

Cheeky_Monkey

I believe that water meters are compulsory for all new builds.

I also understand that everyone who can be, will be put on a water meter over time.

I requested my water meter but my neighbour did not but they got one anyway. They were installed throughout my road regardless of whether you wanted one or not.

chickens11

When we moved in here 8 years ago the metre was already here, I was quite worried about being on it , but its worked out so much cheaper than mains....
On the mains was £260 per year and on metre its £65 per year...
Washing machine used 3 times week , shower daily, bath once a week , wash car once a week with hose pipe, in the summer water the garden twice a week.......Im quite pleased with that...And also my drainage has gone down ...But I wouldnt want to be on a metre if I had family living here ....

millie

We used to pay £525 per year on the RV system. Switched to a meter 3 years ago and we have been paying just under £200 since with Severn Trent. 2 of us in a 3 bedroom semi, best decision we ever made. Saved about £1,000 in 3 years.

[Deleted User]

giraffe69 wrote: »

Because it isn't compulsory and it wouldn't be in some peoples interests.
Because not everyone can have a meter fitted

I know it's not compulsory, my point is that it should be. I know it's not in some people's interests, they're the profligate ones whose wasteful behaviour is being subsidised by frugal consumers. The people who can't have a meter are in a minority.

windup

It should be, but currently, the ones without a meter very kindly subsidise the rest of us, as to the OP, it's a no brainer for people who aren't profligate or wasteful, do it, if it costs more (highly unlikely unless you fit in the aforementioned category), you can revert to the old form of billing any time in the first 12 months, the meter will stay fitted regardless

A 7 minute shower, which apart from the washing machine is the most water I use in one go, costs me 5 pence in water and 10 pence in electricity

robotrobo

firefox1956 wrote: »

I think Norman Castle is correct.
The only thing is if you go down this route when you sell your property whoever buys it will have to pay for metered water. They cannot go back to rateable value pricing.
HTH

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT.
I WAS PAYING OVER £700 4YEARS AGO.
THE MOST I HAVE PAID IS £224 IN THAT 4 YEARS
SO NO GOING BACK FOR US.
AND IF WE SELL ITS A BONUS.
sorry for the caps

LindaJane47

Thanks to everyone for your honest replies!!

Please could I ask those of you with 'low' bills how much water (cu m) you actually use in a year??

The reason I ask is that I think we are probably quite frugal - no garden, don't wash the car very often, showers not baths......

Our bill based on RV is just under £400, but having looked on water company (united utilities) site if we have a meter, we will have to pay:

supply standing charge - £36
Sewerage standing charge - £19
surface water - £79 (!!!)
water in (cu m) - £1.635
dirty water out (cu m) - £1.331

by my reckoning then, standing charges alone will account for £134 per year, then £2.966 for every cu m drawn. If we used the 'average' of 55 cu m per year per person, Our bill would work out at about £430 a year, more if we count the occasional lodger's use.....

I know we can revert back if it's not cheaper, but that's not the point

Linda

windup

basing the usage on the average is going to be more representative than answers from the few people reading this thread.

it depends on how often you flush, how long you spend in the shower, what type it is etc.

http://www.unitedutilities.com/water-calculator.aspx

based on those charges, and an electric shower, 7 minutes shower per day would cost around £30pa each, and so would 4.5 flushes per day each

ic

I moved into my two bed terraced house, paying about £25 on rates per month. As I was single I thought I'd get a meter. The meter was installed, and my payments continued at £25 a month - so I opted to switch back. I had plans to install an outside tap, and didn't plan on being single for ever. I'm no longer single, and we continue to pay £30 per month, and I can water the garden, clean the cars and jetwash the driveway to my hearts content.

However, to counter that, my grandparents live in a large five bed house. Their bill was £45 a month, after fitting a meter that dropped to £20 a month. Roll forward maybe 10 years, they're now paying £45 a month - I dread to think what it might have been now if they were still on rates!