Am I paying too much for my water?

jojeba

I just worked out I pay £517.08 per year for my water, and I'm one person in an ex-council London flat with a part-time tenant. Does this sound right? It seems like a lot. I don't have a meter so it's an assessed charge I suppose. Any tips on finding out if I could be paying less? (I can't get a meter.)

Cardew

You are not on an assessed charge as you would be paying approx. £240pa on an assessed charge. See:

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/tw/common/downloads/literature-water-waste-water-charges/Charges_schedule_2016-17.pdf

To get an assessed charge you have to apply for a meter.(even if you know one can't be fitted) If one can't be fitted then you can elect for an assessed charge.

You are currently paying charges based on your Rateable value(RV)

datlex

It sounds high to me. Though I don't know your circumstances, how much time you spend at home and therefore flush the loo for example, whether you have a bath or shower. I have a meter and I pay £13.58 a month at present.

C_Mababejive

I was just reviewing my bank accounts today and note that i pay £41 in total for water/drainage to United Utilities and this in a two bedroom house with only two adults in it. This sounds mega high to me. It will be based on RV as not metered.

Cardew

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I was just reviewing my bank accounts today and note that i pay £41 in total for water/drainage to United Utilities and this in a two bedroom house with only two adults in it. This sounds mega high to me. It will be based on RV as not metered.

The average annual water use for a couple is approx. 110M3(cubic metres) although many people say they use less.

With United Utilities this would cost £361pa or £421 if you have to pay for SWD(surface water drainage) - many can claim relief from SWD charges.

Mykidsmum

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I was just reviewing my bank accounts today and note that i pay £41 in total for water/drainage to United Utilities and this in a two bedroom house with only two adults in it. This sounds mega high to me. It will be based on RV as not metered.

Just a thought, is £41.00 the amount of your monthly payment?
UU monthly payments for RV customers are normally for 10 months of the year (April to Jan) with no payments for Feb and March.
So £41.00 by 10 monthly payments equals £410.00 which split over 12 months equates to just over £34.00 per month for water/wastewater etc.
Suggest you check your bank statements for around Feb/March to see if payments were made.
It's important to understand if this is the case should you be considering a water meter. Metered charges on a monthly payment plan are over 12 months.
So you need to know exactly what your RV monthly charges are so that you can compare like with like if using a water meter calculator.