Water bill estimated

Doordude

Hello, I'm looking for some advice on my latest water bill and to see if I have a leg to stand on.

For context I am in the armed forces and away quite a bit so was happy to know that South west water fitted a "smart meter" to the property before I moved in. I was here by myself then about 3 years ago my now wife moved in (also in the armed forces) and 2 years ago we had a child. We are now moving and I finally had a chance to take a meter reading. After submitting the readings I have realised that SWW have been estimating my bill for at least 2 years and not reading it, with the assumption that there was only one person in the property, even though my wife has been on the water bill for at least those 2 years. This has lead to my bill jumping up £450.

I have spoken to South west water and they told me that it is annoying but that is the usage so is what the bill should be. But also confirmed that because it is a smart meter it should have been readable and are sending someone to investigate the meter soon. 

My question is should they have not picked this up sooner and at least taken a physical reading or am I responsible for taking the readings, though being away and not even sure which meter was mine for a long time.

I will definitely be keeping a close eye on the meter in the new house.

Thanks for any info.

la531983

If you have used the water you owe the money.

Nothing else to it.

dunstonh

My question is should they have not picked this up sooner and at least taken a physical reading or am I responsible for taking the readings, though being away and not even sure which meter was mine for a long time.

You are responsible ultimately.     

They will typically send a van past to pick up the smart meter signal but it won't always pick it up. For example, our meter is under water for 6 months of the year and if they send a van past at that point, it wouldn't get a reading.    When that happens, I grab a reading when its not under water later in the year.