water meter or not?

teddysmum

What does a typical metered water bill look like ie how is it costed ? (SevernTrent in particular)

Norman_Castle

teddysmum wrote: »

There are just the two of us now, but if metered, I would feel obliged to be really frugal and not having to bother about usage is one blessing of unlimited broadband.

I've been metered for about 15 years. I'm neither frugal or wasteful. I use what I need. Unless you have very wasteful habits, frugality will make little difference.

teddysmum wrote: »

Before finding the quiz, I spoke to a person who gave a lesser but not bad estimate and one question I asked was where the meter would fit. The reply was outside at the access point, but if not possible under the sink , though I don't fancy the latter as we are soon to have a new kitchen and I use all the space under the sink for cleaning/dishwasher supplies.

A water meter is the same size as a bag of sugar.

Norman_Castle

teddysmum wrote: »

What does a typical metered water bill look like ie how is it costed ? (SevernTrent in particular)

https://www.stwater.co.uk/my-account/help-with-account/can-you-explain-my-bill0/

EachPenny

teddysmum wrote: »

What does a typical metered water bill look like ie how is it costed ? (SevernTrent in particular)

I believe the format is fairly uniform (perhaps regulated?) and is similar to gas or electricity bills.

There are separate sections for water and sewerage (if you have it!). You have end meter reading - start meter reading = volume consumed.

Charges are then:
Volume consumed x water unit rate = cost 1
Water SC = cost 2

Volume consumed x sewerage unit rate = cost 3
Sewerage SC = cost 4

Total bill = cost 1 + cost 2 + cost 3 + Cost 4 (no VAT)

EachPenny

jack_pott wrote: »

Yes I realise that the sewers have to drain the surface water as well as sewerage, and that that has to be paid for....

Just explaining for the benefit of others that even if you are metered, there is usually still an allowance made in the total sewerage charge for an unmetered volume of water 'returned' to the sewerage system. Some forum members may be able to save money if they have proof they have alternative arrangements for surface water drainage.

teddysmum

Thank you for the replies about bills. I have now seen a copy of my son's bill,so things are clearer.


Regarding meter size...Have they decreased in size ?


As I wanted to know where the meter would go, because we are due a new kitchen, but in a few months' time,this afternoon my husband asked our neighbour (same design house) where theirs was and was shown.


He showed me with his hands and theirs looks huge (about 18" across) and would take up most of the under sink space, leaving very little , when pipes, drains and hoses for the dishwasher are accounted for. The neighbour has another property with an under sink meter, too and says that is the same model.

EachPenny

teddysmum wrote: »

Regarding meter size...Have they decreased in size ?

Most of the domestic ones I've seen over the last 10 years or so have been a fairly consistent size - roughly the same as a central heating pump.

Makes me wonder what your neighbour has... are they running a brewery?

[Deleted User]

Never known a water meter to be under the kitchen sink. They are usually at the property boundary where the supply stop valve is, not your under sink stop tap.

Norman_Castle

teddysmum wrote: »

Regarding meter size...Have they decreased in size ?

Not in the last 15 years.
http://severntrentwater.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/457/~/how-big-is-a-water-meter%3F

teddysmum

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Not in the last 15 years.
http://severntrentwater.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/457/~/how-big-is-a-water-meter%3F

I have ordered a survey visit next week and one of the ladies I spoke with (one billing/accounts and one metering) said that meters do change and are constantly being updated.


I was ,from the site and photos on Google, expecting something the size of an old fashioned alarm clock only deeper,but my husband said that it looked bigger than the under sink one in Google's gallery. However,the neighbour is always first to find bargains (eg free solar panels),so theirs could be a very old one.