Water bills

Wintleprof24

My bill for Southern Water for 2024/25 has gone up 75%. But their website talks glibly of increases of around 10%. I called them and they immediately reduced the increase to 28%! Just like that - and only because I called them out. It's still much higher than they publicly claim. And this from a company that happily pollutes rivers and coastline. Anyone else have an increase like this?

fatbelly

The amount they take as a monthly d/d is not necessarily what you spend if you are on a metered basis.

But it should bear some relation to it so it does seem that they are trying to increase theirncome from their customers 

la531983

I suspect this is a simple case of someone thinking their monthly direct debit is the "bill". No it isnt, its merely a contribution to a pot from which the metered bill is paid.

Wintleprof24

No I don't think my dd is the "bill". I know full well how the costs of water services are calculated. I used about 4% more water services during 2023/24, according to the meter, yet the predicted cost for such services for 2024/25 is 75% higher. It's a simple case of corporate greed, the sort of thing that frightens some old people to death. And, as I said, when challenged, it dropped significantly - with no explanation.

la531983

What are the unit rates and sewerage charges on last years, and what were the stated equivalents on this year before you contacted them?

From the sounds of it they merely made an incorrect prediction of your upcoming years usage, that still isnt your "bill".

Brie

If you think the amount is inflated then you'll need to do a calculation of the annual use with current prices and see what that says you should be paying.  I've had to do this with gas and electric and when hit with simple logic these companies do tend to rollover.