Severn Trent - I do not trust their tactics?

bodsj

In spring this year (Mar/Apr 2025) a company representing Severn Trent installed equipment outside mine and my neighbours properties in the culdesac of approx 40 houses outside our  boundaries on the footpath. I was told it was to monitor pressure etc by the workmen.                                                                                                                                                                                    over the years I have  always paid my bill monthly based on the rateable value of my house, This year (2025) my bill was £888.00 paid monthly  in installments of £111.00 1st Apr to 1st Nov and is now fully paid until Apr 2026

I do not have / or have agreed to a water meter installation.

I have recieved recently the following emails from Svern trent

1. Dated 05/12/2025
Right now, times are tough, and on the run up to Christmas everyone is feeling the pinch. So, it’s good news that we’ve looked at your bill and worked out a way to save you money.
 
You're currently on an unmeasured water bill, which we work out based on your rateable value. Your rateable value is a fixed figure based upon the size of your home and where you live. So up until now your water bill has not been based on how much water you actually use.
 
While this works OK for some people, we’ve noticed that you use less water than other homes with the same rateable value as yours. As you’re using less, we think you should be paying less. You already have a water meter fitted at home that tells us how much water you are using, so sit back and relax - you don't need to do anything. We'll automatically switch you to a measured bill and back date your overpayment to 1st April 2025, meaning that you could see a refund coming your way soon.

2.

Your latest bill is now ready to view. You can view your bill on your online account if you have one. We’ve also attached a copy of the bill to this email. Bill period: 1st April 2025 to 9th September 2025 This bill: £198.30 Your account balance: £689.70 cr You pay in instalments Please pay £37.89 on 1 Jan 2026 followed by monthly payments of £37.89. If you’re struggling to pay The last thing we want is for you to worry about paying your bill. That’s why we have lots of ways we can help make paying your bill easier on our website. Understanding your bill Your bill is packed with information about how we work out your charges. We’ve put together a guide to understanding your bill which can help if there’s anything you’re unsure of. Get Priority Services We want to provide you with the support you need when you need it. If you have any medical condition or personal circumstance which means you might need extra help, you can sign up for Priority Services.

We’re here if you need us If there’s anything else we can help with, please get in touch. Thank you, Your Severn Trent team 3.Dated 19/12 2025 We’re pleased to let you know we’ve sent a refund of £689.70. You’ll receive it within the next 10 working days. We’re here if you need us If there’s anything else we can help with, please get in touch. Thank you, Your Severn Trent team Why you’re getting this email This email is about your account or the services you receive from us. Data Protection Severn Trent Water will process your personal data as stated in the Customer Promise. Make sure you take the time to check the small print and read our terms and conditions.  I have no meter or so i thought?

QrizB

Severn Trent don't need your permission to install a meter.

It sounds as though you've already saved more than £600 by having a meter.

Is there any reason why you would want to carry on paying almost £900 a year as an unmetered customer when it seems your metered bill will be closer to £400 a year?

bodsj

QrizB said:

Severn Trent don't need your permission to install a meter.

It sounds as though you've already saved more than £600 by having a meter.

Is there any reason why you would want to carry on paying almost £900 a year as an unmetered customer when it seems your metered bill will be closer to £400 a year?

Thanks for your comment. I was trying to highlight that having a water meter is no longer optional. 

I'm happy to receive a refund but thinking ahead for homes/families that require more water than i do 

vacheron

I don't get why light consumption and - while not wanting to generalise - predominantly elderly, water users have such issues with water meters. The previous (retired) owner of our house had refused one for years and paid the rateable value £88. She lived alone. We moved in as a couple and immediately fitted a water meter, we were paying £28 per month, and even now, 16 years later despite my wife being a keen gardener, having a baby, now teenager, and a large fish tank, we still only pay £38.

You would need to use a truly stupendous amount of water to exceed the rateable value, literally nobody I have ever met who has had a water meter fitted has paid more than they did before having one fitted.

When our supplier (Northumbrian Water) fitted ours they asked the elderly couple in the bungalow next door if they wanted one too while they had the road dug up as both supplies were in the same supply chamber. They said no, despite us telling them they should, then 2 years later they were outraged to find they were paying more than twice what we were. 🤦‍♂️

Grumpy_chap

bodsj said:

I was trying to highlight that having a water meter is no longer optional. 

That's correct for large parts of the country defined as water stressed.  A decision set by Parliament.

freesha

Good. Great news.

Green_hopeful

So a water company can install a water meter but they can’t charge on the basis of the water usage through the meter unless you have asked to be transferred onto measured or metered charging (unless you are in a water stressed area and they have decided to compulsory meter). In your case they have switched you over which will be likely to save you loads of money but it is a little unusual to do it in this way. You presumably could ask not to receive the refund and carry on giving them money but I suspect you wont do that. I looked up their charges scheme which are their rules on charging and I cant see anywhere that says they will automatically switch people to measured charges. https://www.stwater.co.uk/content/dam/stw/my-account/our-charges/2025/st-hh-charges-scheme-2025-26.pdf

bodsj

Green_hopeful said:

So a water company can install a water meter but they can’t charge on the basis of the water usage through the meter unless you have asked to be transferred onto measured or metered charging (unless you are in a water stressed area and they have decided to compulsory meter). In your case they have switched you over which will be likely to save you loads of money but it is a little unusual to do it in this way. You presumably could ask not to receive the refund and carry on giving them money but I suspect you wont do that. I looked up their charges scheme which are their rules on charging and I cant see anywhere that says they will automatically switch people to measured charges. https://www.stwater.co.uk/content/dam/stw/my-account/our-charges/2025/st-hh-charges-scheme-2025-26.pdf

Thanks for your comment and you are correct, I will gladly accept the refund and not refuse it! (Is this deemed acceptance of a metered charge)?

The refund was based on my historical m' cubed usage and therefore measured, my new bill from January 26 is based on predicted cubic useage payable monthly.

Thinking ahead , if the cubic usage price increases yearly and rateable values remain static can I then switch back?

playing devils advocate really, but appreciate your comment and link.

Have a good Christmas

QrizB

bodsj said:

Thinking ahead , if the cubic usage price increases yearly and rateable values remain static can I then switch back?

Public policy is that rateable value billing will increase faster than metered, on the (not entirely unreasonable) assumption that only high users will choose to remain unmetered.