Your water bill compared to your total gas and electricity bill

CashStrapped

Ahh yes, compatition and less regulation, the concept that has made the energy market the bastian of low prices, transparency and clarity of choice.

losgiganteskid

CashStrapped wrote: »

Ahh yes, compatition and less regulation, the concept that has made the energy market the bastian of low prices, transparency and clarity of choice.

The prices are a damn sight lower than hitherto they would have been had it not been for competition between competing suppliers !

CashStrapped

Care to show me your data and evidance for that? It is a very sweeping statement.

The fact you have the vast majority of the population on very expensive tariffs just because they have not asked their energy company about cheaper tariffs or know how to compare them is the bigger rip off in my opinion.

One section of the popluation who do not switch are just subsidising the other section who do. That is your competition. We compete with ourselves!

There are also many sets of data and articles and studies that challenge your statment. However that is a bigger discussion and could go on for pages. I am sure you will find sudies arguing the opposite too. I am not getting into that.

My point?

I am not saying that the water companies are any better than the energy companies. Just that allowing us to switch between them won't improve overall prices. The competition is all just smoke and mirrors. It may make you feel like you are getting a better deal. But overall, someone has to lose out. Usually the most vulnerable.

I just do not want to have another utility I have to religiously switch every month which allows me to shaft some elderly person down the road who does not switch because they are loyal to their provider.

I have switched 12 times in the last year. It is a bloody joke. Now energy companies offer these collective switches which, again, the vast majority of the population do not know about.

singhini

Gas per month = £36.50
Electricity per month = £35.00
Water per month = £34.00


Being able to walk into my house and drink a glass of water straight from the tap = priceless


BTW: Council tax per month = £134.00

Cardew

losgiganteskid wrote: »

Exactly - you can't switch hence no competition to keep prices in check !! - so I do think it is a rip off - I rest my case !!

May I suggest that if you are making a case, you should understand how water is financed under the Water Act. (Not that I am fan of another of Maggie's schemes)

Given that the Act set up a number of licensed monopolies, it also has a Regulator that determines the revenue, and hence profit, that each company can raise.

A major part of each company's targets, set by the Regulator, is to modernise the largely Victorian infrastructure inherited under Privatisation. That task varies by district and is the reason why some areas(like SW England) have water charges three times as high as some other areas. This is because the SW has a huge area and low population to pay bills.

poppasmurf_bewdley

singhini wrote: »

Gas per month = £36.50
Electricity per month = £35.00
Water per month = £34.00


Being able to walk into my house and drink a glass of water straight from the tap = priceless


BTW: Council tax per month = £134.00

Yes, it's the council tax that's the killer!

How these organisations can levy a bill that's more than gas, electric and water added together amazes me - considering that councils also get at least 50% more given to them by the government in revenue support.

Perhaps stopping paying all councillors a minimum of about £10k a year would be a start.

ASavvyBuyer

Our water bill, at £10 per month, is just less than 25% of our combined gas & electric bill. We have a water meter and check the reading each month to make sure there are no leaks. Helps to reduce the water used by having one of our toilets useing rainwater to flush it from water collected in Water Butts.

Dird

£37.64 water last month !!!!!!, £82.30 gas & electric.

Was expecting water to be around £30/month =/ not on a meter
Council £91.28 which works out £14 more per year than expected

molerat

Water £19.98 per month unmetered
Sewage £23.19
Electric £32.00
Gas £37.00
Council Tax £115.60

lstar337

Water-Sewerage £30/m (98 cubic metres/year)
Electric £30/m
Gas £12/m
Council Tax £145/m