Water bills - metered v ratable value based.

TELLIT01

I've just had our water bill for the new year and it's certainly got me wondering about the potential benefit of having a meter.  Just the 2 of us so trying to get a sense of the price for metered water.  Severn Trent if it makes any difference.  All info appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

have a read HERE, might help.

TELLIT01

Thanks for the link.  We have the potential to save a couple of hundred quid a year!

Nile

TELLIT01 said:

I've just had our water bill for the new year and it's certainly got me wondering about the potential benefit of having a meter.  Just the 2 of us so trying to get a sense of the price for metered water.  Severn Trent if it makes any difference.  All info appreciated.

Good advice from frugalmacdugal, definitely read the MSE article before making your decision.

When we moved to a larger house, we moved from water rates to a water meter. As we now have more bedrooms than people, we saved money having a water meter so I can recommend it on that basis. However you probably won't save money, if you like to use a hosepipe to water your lawn or to clean your car. If you take baths rather than showers..........a water meter may not be right for you.

We are careful/frugal with water use. We only do full loads in the washing machine and the dishwasher and take showers rather than a bath. We use a bucket of soapy water to clean the car and rinse with a bucket of clean water, don't use a hosepipe.

Regards

Nile

ka7e

2 adults in 3-bed house, reasonably careful with water but use a hose on the garden as we are trying to establish new trees and hedging. We still use less than the average amount for a 1-person household and our water bills have halved since we moved to a meter.

aoleks

I would never use a meter when it comes to water. the peace of mind that you can use whatever you want for a fixed amount is priceless to me, especially since we have 2 gardens.

twopenny

I had a 3 bed house and a 65ft garden. I was paying £75 pm 3yrs ago.

I've moved to 2 bed with a meter.

By not taking long showers, washing up once a day, mainly full loads in the washing machine, shower at the swimming pool some times, don't run the tap to swill the sink or when brushing teeth it's now £11 pm.

Because I cut back in winter in the summer I use the run off from the hot water tap to fill a water butt, wash the car with a bucket etc I can water the garden with a hose and take a longer hot shower on those days when you need to indulge.

Even the supplier when I rang asked how I do it. Grew up knowing a Great Aunt who didn't have running water. It was eyeopening.

TELLIT01

I've just read info on the Severn Trent site.  We can have a meter installed but get it removed during the first 2 years if it doesn't prove to be a saving.  Nothing to lose on that basis.  We do have a big garden but rarely water it as everything is established.  We do water hanging baskets and pots, but that's with a drip system which is literally used for 10 minutes per day.

I understand the 'comfort' of fixed price, but when the calculation shows an approximate 40% saving it has to be considered seriously.

casper_gutman

A minor detail, but I doubt they'd actually "remove" a meter if you had one installed and didn't save money.

They'd almost certainly leave it installed but allow you to fall back onto paying based on the rateable value. 

Then, when you sold the property, they'd have the option of using the meter for the next occupant.

onomatopoeia99

I went from rateable value of £65 to metered of £13, so I regard it as a positive step.  I live in a small bungalow so its rateable value is pretty low, but it's just me and I shower once a day, do a couple of loads of laundry a week and run the dishwasher twice a week (way more water efficient than using the sink to wash up).

Unless you're a family of six and launder everything after one wash, or one of those types that waters the patio in the summer to stop it getting too hot (I've met someone that does that) then I'd say go for it.

flashg67

I've found the opposite to most - 2  adults, small 3 bed house. We try not to waste water but have a dishwasher, hosepipe occasionally for garden /car washing etc and have gone from £38 metered ( in the old house) to £22 non-metered ( same locality in the NW)