Saving even more money from my water usage??

Mr_Proctalgia

I have just received my 6 monthly bill from ST and it is a little lower than I had calculated earlier in the year :j. I use very very little water (and was considering using even less) so could anyone comment on whether I could in fact save much more money that I already do?

So far I have changed my WC to a 2L-4L-6L wall mounted low water one and have an AA rated washing machine and a small A rated dishie. My kitchen water is heated in a 10litre undersink heater and I find that one heating period during my E7 period does for the next morning, my WHB is heated with a 5KW instantaneous heater and my shower is electric too, the bath has been skipped BTW.
Wherever possible I have changed all plumbing to 10mm plastic (on the hot side) to reduce losses with standing water as well.

My ST bill for the last 6 months was as follows:-
Water supply 7Cu M = £8.05
Water standing charge = £8.60
Used Water 7Cu M = £5.52
Used water Standing Charge = £4.52
Measured Drainage O2 = £21.23
Total = £47.94 - £6.05 overpayment from the previous six months
Bill = £41.89

I was considering getting a 1000l BLC and a pump ( I already have 2 x 20litre pressure vessels) and can get a redundant beer pump and presure switch for a few £££'s. The plumbing is also to hand. I reckon that I could run my toilet and washing machine on rain water fairly easily but the question is will it be money saving in the end? I live a 3 bed semi BTW.

If I assume that the exercise would cost me say £100 + leccy running costs, then apart from the "fun" of doing it and the ecological issues is it in fact futile? I ought to add that my last quarters leccy bill was only £28 and that most of my little house runs on timers to use the E7 as much as possible, with a largeish wood burner for the main heating and leccy for spot heating when needed - No gas yet.

I should add that I am not a smelly skanky old git who lives like Steptoe but I am fortunate insomuch as I get free food at work 5 days a week and we also have the free use of showers there too.

All thoughts on whether I would see any ROI on spending to save in my situation are appreciated.

Ken68

Hi Mr. P......Do ST have a low user tariff, similar to this..

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/index.php?sectionid=35&parentid=14&contentid=62&pager=1

Would save you something. I recycle a lot of rainwater, manually, and use drawn water only for shower,(navy style)personal washing and cooking. Less than 7cubic metres per year, so you could work it out. The problem with a large grey water tank is keeping it and the pipes free from infection.

Mr_Proctalgia

It appears that ST do not have a Low User tariff, this is a pity as it would incentivise me to save a lot more water I think - The Anglian Water one looks to be very good value for money as a low user.

Ken68

My neighbour has a large plastic 1000litre tank for garden use. You can see the gunk , almost impossible to keep clean with such a narrow capping. Terrific pressure tho when full, large tap.
The various tanks dotted around my garage and sheds are cleaned out in the summer, when they run dry, and some are dedicated for house use and others garden only.
A poster on SelfSuffintish has such a setup as you mention.
Edit...it might have been on Downsizer.net.

Ken68

Have you tried Mr.P..for a surface water rebate, don't really understand your water bill...what is measured drainage?

slipp_digby

there are water bylaws to be met so be careful when using rainwater inside.

there is no reason why 'non potable' water demands cannot be met from rainwater in principle but it isnt straight forward.

biggest problem will be achieving a sufficient turnover in the water to achieve decent water quality, otherwise you will need to treat the water stored and are thus unlikely to achieve savings.

you also need some form of filtration in the system to make the water from the roof is usable but this is usually only a coarse in pipe filter to remove debris as roof water is generally clean.

bearing in mind you bills and the hassle it will entail I don't think this is worthwhile pursuing.

Mr_Proctalgia

In answer to Ken 68 and Slipp - Measured drainage is the way ST work out the amount you chuck down the drain - They assume the same amount of water goes out as comes in but charge something like 85% for it so as to allow for drinking and cooking etc. That pays for the sewage and also the stuff coming off your roof (I Think)

I too am considering the cost benefit equation of my ideas, although I know this is ultimately a money saving site my ecological chip sometimes kicks in, and besides that there is the "Can I make this work" ethos to consider.


All good boys fun - The biological safety thing does merit serious consideration though.

Thanks for your input.

Ken68

You got me worried now Slipp, use rainwater for the loo, which I would think OK and boiled for the washing up and hot water bottle, but add cold rainwater to the washing up water. And use rainwater to clean veg before cooking.
All coarse filtered thru a very fine sieve. Would you think that complied with the byelaws, Slipp?

slipp_digby

Ken68 wrote: »

You got me worried now Slipp, use rainwater for the loo, which I would think OK and boiled for the washing up and hot water bottle, but add cold rainwater to the washing up water. And use rainwater to clean veg before cooking.
All coarse filtered thru a very fine sieve. Would you think that complied with the byelaws, Slipp?

fear not, apologies I just checked you only need to comply with the revised Water Supply (water fittings) regulations 1999 if you are a new or altered commerical building. it doesnt seem to apply to existing domestics.

you are fine using it for non potable uses such as toilet flushing but a lot of commerical system do incorporate treatment.

however its probably not a good idea to be using what is essentially non-potable water for uses where it will come into contact with food or plates/cutlery.

your filter won't remove chemical or biological contamaintion - one dead bird in the drain pipe and your going to be very ill indeed.