ES Water - combined water and sewage bill - beware estimated bills

JimboMarimbo

The new combined bill for ES Water to include the old Anglia sewage has obviously roughly doubled the monthly DD, this is as expected. In my case, the increase has coincided with some estimated and some actual meter readings catching up to actuality - with alarming results.

Over the last three years there have been a mix of estimates and actual physical readings which have landed on the half-yearly April being the actual correct reading. Therefore, over those three years April to April, I have used the below average 23 cubic metres p.a., 25 cubic metres p.a. with the April '23 - April '24 being estimated, not unreasonably you might think, at 25 cubic metres: as the household useage remained relatively unchanged.

On the 11th October '24 an actual meter reading was taken, showing my half-yearly usage at 31 cubic metres - totally an annual usage of 44 cubic metres - nearly twice the last actual two year total reading of 23+25 = 48 cubic metres. Naturally my latest bill has shot up with my half year bill topping out at £160-odd.

From reading this forum, I see that there is no way to challenge the accuracy of my water meter despite these baffling readings: I will certainly be making sure of actual readings over the next few months to keep a close eye on any unexpected bumps in apparent useage, and then talk to ES Water for comments/advice.