Worth getting water meter?

Annie1612 · 3 January 2022 at 5:09AM

Whilst helping my 95 year old mother-in-law sort out her finances after the death of her husband last month, I notice on her bank statement she is paying £60 a month for her water (Severn Trent). I was a bit surprised since she doesn’t own a dishwasher or washing machine and only has a shower so water use is minimal until realising she is probably not on a meter. We pay £20 per month (metered) and use far more water so I am guessing she could be saving £40 per month if she were to have a meter fitted.

She wouldn’t be able to request one herself but we could do it for her. Is it a lot of disruption to do this and would it mean the water being off for any length of time or would there be any hassle? She doesn’t cope at all with change or disruption and gets easily upset, however she could really do with the extra monthly income. If it’s just a case of someone coming and doing a quick bit of work and her not being involved in any way, that would be ok. It would be less ok if people were needing access to the house or digging a hole at the end of the drive, in which case she would probably prefer not to have it done.

Robin9 · 3 January 2022 at 7:55AM

I'm with ST - on a meter and paying £30 /month. We are a 2 person household so your MIL's consumption would be lower.

Meter was fitted in the garage, not the road. It took an hour to fit.

It's read remotely, monthly DD and statement every 6 months.

It's a no brainer for her. and will go a long way towards the higher gas and electric heading her way.

Swipe · 3 January 2022 at 10:47AM

Call STW and they'll send someone out to do a survey and suggest a location for the meter. If located outside or in the road and there's no digging involved, her water will go off for about 5 mins while the meter is installed.

Single person here, unmetered it was £60 per month and I pay £20 now I'm metered.

tealady · 27 January 2022 at 6:22AM

Another ST customer here.
I have had 2 meters fitted (2nd was an upgrade).
Had minimal disruption, bills dropped by about 50%
HTH

jbuchanangb · 2 February 2022 at 3:21PM

As an aside, if MIL is of sound mind, and trusts you to help her with her finances, she really should set up a Lasting Power of Attorney ASAP. Then she can delegate her affairs to you, and in the event the terms of the Mental Capacity Act come into effect, you will be able to look after things.

Dannii75 · 2 February 2022 at 3:25PM

I live on my own & my monthly bill is £17, before I was unmetered it was £45pcm. Definitely worth it!

Jaybee_16 · 15 February 2022 at 11:36AM

Slumbershade said:

on south west water the average is £27 a month for a 1 person household I was just told. wonder why its so expensive down here

You aren't alone in wondering about more expensive water. I'm also one person on metered supply with Welsh Water, also paying £27pm.

macman · 20 February 2022 at 2:02PM

Since she can revert back to RV billing in the first 12 months if it isn't cheaper, it's really a no-brainer. And at no cost.

tealady · 25 February 2022 at 5:22PM

Another ST customer here.
Opted for a meter, Bill's dropped by 50% at 1st, now pay even less.
Think you can ask to go back on RV before 12 months if meter doesn't save money.
For me it was a no brainer, single occ no dishwasher, have shower dont have a car and let Mother Nature water the garden (do have a water butt though)

matelodave · 25 February 2022 at 6:15PM

I'm with Anglian Water and having a meter saves around £300 just on the RV standing charge, it's actually even more than that if I knew what my RV rate in the £ was.

Lisalouise1974 · 4 March 2022 at 9:25PM

I am on a water meter, 2 adults, slimline dishwasher on every night, washing machine three times a week and 2 adults using a power shower everyday for 5 minutes each, we both work from home so lots of cups of tea a day, we pay £38 with anglian water, so much cheaper than water rates would be.