water meter error?

designeditdesignedit

Having a nightmare with united utilities! Theyve sent a few text messages about a possible leak, si we checked and fixed a few things , nothing major, just a tap etc. They still reckon the usage is high so sent someone to check for external leaks..none on their side so we've checked ours by taking a meter reading and shutting the stop tap. No movement on the meter.

But the readings over the last few years are absolutley ridiculous;

may 2024 1531

aug 2024 1577

oct 2024 1615…gradually increasing to august 2025 1754 then in Feb 2026 1897

Theres only three of us in the house!

Is it likely that their meter is incorrect?

Swipe

If there's no movement on the meter after shutting off the stop tap I'd just ignore them or tell them to prove it and that they are welcome to come and do the test on your side themselves. As far as water used, how does it compare to your historical usage over the last few years?

designeditdesignedit

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935457#Comment_81935457

they are increasing the bill due to the 'increased usage'

Swipe

Don't forget water costs have gone up by around 40% over the last 10 months for some areas. I'd definitely check your previous bills to make sure their extra usage figures are correct.

designeditdesignedit

with regards to usage by us, absolutley no change as far as we are concerned - the biggest sage icrease seems to be in feb when we apparently used 86 cubic metres yet the previous oct we used 57.

No changes in the house such as baths installed etc

Swipe

I'd be inclined to just ignore them then if your side of the meter leak test has come back OK. And if they raise it again, tell them nothing has changed and to come out and check for themselves.

designeditdesignedit

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935474#Comment_81935474

brace yourself for a LONGGGG story here lol…they sent some one out who said they think there is a leak probably at the meter, then another team of sub contractors turned up, assuredme that there was a 'substantial leak' on my side so united utilities wouldnt touch it …but'WE CAN FIX IT NOW FOR ABOUT THREE HUNDRED QUID…i said i would get my home insurance to assess and repair.. these subbies tried every excuse to get me to pay them on the spot to fix it. The spot they reckoned was leaking was soaking wet …i had never noticed it before, despite being in the front garden every day. Its not been there since either . I was out when thye turned up to see where this leak is and I am wondering if on dicovering no one home, they poured a load of water there! I have lodged a complaint about them.

Meanwhile,,,,I do suspect theres no leak but with the meter reading as they are, UU will want to charge accordingly. I have heard that new meters (and i am not sure if mine is new, its on the pavement outside the house so i wouldbt have noticed it being changed0 is one of the new wifi ones which are read just by someone pulling up near it

2childmum2

The bill is based on the amount of water the meter says is being used.

My understanding is that the amount of water the water company is saying they have used - as measured by the meter - keeps going up so therefore their bill keeps going up. The op states that they do not think they are using more water, and there does not seem to be a leak their side of the meter - but their water usage and therefore bill is continuing to rise. Ignoring it means the issue continues and the bills keep rising. Have I got that right op?

If there is no leak between the meter and the house is it possible you have a leak somewhere in your house that you haven't found - our toilet cistern kept running for example, which was barely noticeable - all we could see was a ripple in the water in the bowl, but it's surprising how much water was being used.

Swipe

I'd keep your eye on it and take weekly readings for your own records and maybe do a leak test once a month just to rule anything out. UU can only charge you for what has passed through the meter.

designeditdesignedit

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935499#Comment_81935499

Yes thats correct. Today we have taken a meter reading and not used any water at all for three hours, the meter hasnt moved. I am convinced it may be incorrect reading, I am not sure if my meter is a wifi one

designeditdesignedit

just checked, no its not wifi its manually read