Cheaper Water Bills Article Discussion

Headsabovewater

@Pandaa
You need to do a flow test on your meter as you are using more than normal for a single person.

dalewisdom

i moved in to my 2 bedroom flat with my girlfriend in june 08 and gave a water meter reading. we got an estimated bill from june to october which was £111 for three months. my direct debit was £28 a month so this covered the three month bill and a pound in credit. We then received a revised bill today 04/02/08 for the period october to january and it was changed to £317.04 for the three months plus then a bill for the period october to january and this was charged at £233.65 for three months. the revised bill from june to october was because i gave them a meter reading in january 09. They now want to change so i am paying £206 a month direct debit surely i am paying too much for 2 people who work 9-5 monday to friday?

mazzerman

I have a water meter fitted but spend a lot of time abroad and therefore don't use any water while i'm away. (i turn the main off)
I still get charged an amount, is that right or am i being ripped off?
I would have thought that you only pay for what you use?
Cheers
Mazzer

JRC116

Martin's table gives examples based on an average 4bed property water bill of £320. Our bill was £793 last year and £849 this year. Does the £320 refer to the full bill, water +wastewater or just the water element. Ours is only £341 for water only.

We live in a four bed detached in a not very expensive part of town, ave house price £150K served by United Utilities. Our bill seems extrotionate compared with others mentioned on the forum.

JRC116

I've just noticed our Ratebable Value is quoted on our annual water bill from United Utilities. Its £375 but I don't know if that's high low or average.

1socrates1

I just received my water bill from Thames Water for the period 1 April 2009 till 31 March 2010. It was £289. I live alone in a flat. I'm just wondering whether this is a fair price or not?

Cardew

JRC116 wrote: »

Martin's table gives examples based on an average 4bed property water bill of £320. Our bill was £793 last year and £849 this year. Does the £320 refer to the full bill, water +wastewater or just the water element. Ours is only £341 for water only.

We live in a four bed detached in a not very expensive part of town, ave house price £150K served by United Utilities. Our bill seems extrotionate compared with others mentioned on the forum.

The Rateable Value(RV) of £320 is the figure on which local taxes(now called Council Tax and before that Poll Tax) were based.

The RV ceased to have any meaning for anything, except unmetered water charges, in 1989.

This RV was the notional rent a property could command and bears no relationship to Council Tax banding which is based on price of the property.

You will pay for water and sewarage at a rate for each £1 of RV

Example.

Water 320 x £1.10 = £352 + Sewerage 320 x £1.20 = £384

That is a total of £736 + standing charges of say £20 + £30 a grand total of £786.

In the United Utilities area you will almost certainly save a lot of money being metered.

Get one fitted(it is free) and if it doesn't save you money you can change back within 12 months.

Edit.

In your case it will be 375 x yy + 375 x zz etc

carole7007

I have just received my water bill. Its gone up again, did some research and my house is the smallest in the road, but because I had extension pre 1990 my rateable value is more than even the detached bungalows in road. I am in a semi, my concil tax band is lower than the detached, yet rateable value higher. Have spoken to United Utilities, Sefton Council and the Valuation office, only to be told there is nothing that can be done other than go on a meter. It seems to me that I have been overcharged compared to my neighbours for years, but there is nothing I can do about it according to the powers that be.

Cardew

carole7007 wrote: »

I have just received my water bill. Its gone up again, did some research and my house is the smallest in the road, but because I had extension pre 1990 my rateable value is more than even the detached bungalows in road. I am in a semi, my concil tax band is lower than the detached, yet rateable value higher. Have spoken to United Utilities, Sefton Council and the Valuation office, only to be told there is nothing that can be done other than go on a meter. It seems to me that I have been overcharged compared to my neighbours for years, but there is nothing I can do about it according to the powers that be.

This is true.

The Rateable Value(RV) system is a nonsense forn basing water charges.

You can in extreme cases get a Band H million pound mansion with a lower RV than a Band B semi.

austinmeeson

I have two supply points does this make a difference