Why might Severn Trent be asking me for a meter reading?

HelenNoreen

Hello all, 
I have done some googling on both the web and on here, but cannot seem to find an answer to this question. 

I have received an email from Severn Trent asking for a meter reading? Whilst that might not sound unusual to most, I have never received such a request before? I live in a flat, and had a water meter fitted approximately 6 years ago. Ever since, my bills have arrived every 6 months, and I have never given a reading (as far as I can recall). 

What could be the reason why I need to give a manual reading? (There is no explanation in the email as to what has changed). 
Thanks

emmajones1976

They could be short staffed, meters can be read remotely but it still needs someone to go and stand in the vicinity of the meter in order to do this.

HelenNoreen

Wow?? really! I thought there would somehow be a way of them reading them remotely. So I was worried encase something was broken! Thank you for responding. Feel a bit silly now!

emmajones1976

Well it is read remotely...of sorts.  A different company but the same practice...

https://www.unitedutilities.com/your-questions-answered/water-meters/what-is-an-automatic-meter-reading-meter/

Astria

One of my neighbours never had a meter read either for the first 3 years they moved in, then they noticed that all their bills were estimated usage! When they finally gave a reading they had to send someone out to verify because the reading was less than their previous bill.

JJ_Egan

ST read my water meter once every two years  , but they never read my gas .

HelenNoreen

Thanks all; much appreciated. 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

maybe you should locate meter and verify readings, LOOK.

HelenNoreen

Hi FM, thank you. Thankfully my meter is very handily located above my front door; so easily assessable for me to provide a reading, which I have now done. I was just concerned as the request was out of the blue! I have also checked that the reading I have given is logical in respect to the last reading which would have been taken by ST. 

Coys

Same thing happened to me recently. Our water meter is inside the house but has an "Everblu Cyble" module (transmitter and long-life battery) so ST read it remotely and bill me every six months; May and November.

But last month I was asked for a reading and got a tiny bill just for December.