Forced Meter - paying 3x as much!

Banker1966

Hi, all the homes in my area (with Southern Water) have been forced to go to water meters since September 2014. I have now got my first proper bill and change of amount we pay by DD monthly. According to Southern Water they estimate that my yearly bill will be around £1080, compared to £361 unmetered! I rent a 2 bedroom flat above a bakery / cafe with my wife and 2 teenage daughters. I don't think we waste water unduly and cannot understand this massive increase when a lot of people seem to save money! I phoned Soutern Water as they give the option of a graduated increase using a Changeover Tariff which increase by a 1/3 over 3 years. I asked them if it was possible that the calculations were wrong or mixed up with the business downstairs but was assured that as my meter is in my property that it was correct.
This increase is forcing me to think about moving elsewhere as I really can't afford it - just had my rent increased as well!
Any ideas?

hayleydaley

We moved into a 2 bedroom bungalow recently , meter already installed . So could not have it removed but then everyone is going on to meters by the end of the year in my area, my bills are more than the other house. We moved from a 4 bed house, people I have spoke to said the same that they are dearer,

Cherokeebluesome

Hi, the average water usage per person per day is about 148 litres or just over 1m3 per week. Therefore, with 4 people occupying your apartment that comes to about 4+m3. You then have to double this because it has to be treated as waste and so is included in the cost. Therefore your usage for the year is about 500m3. Multiply 500 by the cost your water company is charging you for each metre supplied and thereafter treated and you will have a rough idea as to whether your usage is above or below the average. Hope this is of some help.

bondy01

How many cubic m's have you used?

nonnatus

Hmmm.

We live in a 5/6 bed house. I think we use a LOT of water, but even we only pay £85 per month DD and we are in credit every year. And we are with South West Water (the most expensive in the UK for several daft reasons...) Your bill does seem high!

deanos

where is the meter fitted, you say you live above a bakery are you paying for there water ?

Cardew

Banker1966 wrote: »

Hi, all the homes in my area (with Southern Water) have been forced to go to water meters since September 2014. I have now got my first proper bill and change of amount we pay by DD monthly. According to Southern Water they estimate that my yearly bill will be around £1080, compared to £361 unmetered! I rent a 2 bedroom flat above a bakery / cafe with my wife and 2 teenage daughters. I don't think we waste water unduly and cannot understand this massive increase when a lot of people seem to save money! I phoned Soutern Water as they give the option of a graduated increase using a Changeover Tariff which increase by a 1/3 over 3 years. I asked them if it was possible that the calculations were wrong or mixed up with the business downstairs but was assured that as my meter is in my property that it was correct.
This increase is forcing me to think about moving elsewhere as I really can't afford it - just had my rent increased as well!
Any ideas?

That estimate is too high IMO - is the meter supplying both properties? (the cafe and yourself?)


Southern Water charges are here:


https://www.southernwater.co.uk/our-charges


The average consumption for a 4 person household is approx. 220m3 a year.


From the charges you will pay:


1.£95 in standing charges*.


2. £271 for water - (220 x £1.233)


3. £491 for sewerage (220 x £2.27)


A total of £857. That is using 220m3 a year - loads use much less water per head. *Also you might be exempt the Surface Water Drainage(SWD) charge of £23.


The problem is your flat has a remarkably low Rateable Value(RV) at £149 or £138 if you pay SWD.

macman

But is your first 'proper bill' based on actual or estimated readings?

Banker1966

bondy01 wrote: »

How many cubic m's have you used?

According to the bill we have used 128 m3 over the past 6 months.

Banker1966

deanos wrote: »

where is the meter fitted, you say you live above a bakery are you paying for there water ?

The meter is fitted in our kitchen, next to the gas meter. According to Southern Water the meters are separate, the Bakeries presumably being downstairs.

Banker1966

macman wrote: »

But is your first 'proper bill' based on actual or estimated readings?

The bill is based on actual readings - I think they can read it remotely?