Cheaper Water Bills Article Discussion

schnetler

We installed a water meter way back in about 1985. I had to provide the pit and pay for the meter from Yorkshire Water, and they then fitted and checked it out. At that time there were 4 of us in the house. It seemed common sense to pay for what we used, even though we then had a 40,000 litre swimming pool in the garden. Now there are just two of us, no pool, we have 5 rainwater butts for our big garden and use 7 or 8 cubic metres of water a month. I pay £22/month for this, which helps offset the scandalous gas and electricity rip off! Longer term, water meters simply have to be compulsory to save water - only the political will is missing. Also, rainwater for flushing the toilet will have to become the norm and it will be popular to have a bath with a friend! The water companies for their part will simply have to reduce their network leakage rate. All will take time in stumbling along Britain.

Cardew

schnetler wrote: »

Longer term, water meters simply have to be compulsory to save water - only the political will is missing.

The Water Privatisation Bill in 1989 gave water companies powers to install meters compulsorily on change of account holder. The intent was that all properties would eventually have a meter(other than those where a meter could not be fitted). However, stupidly they didn't mandate that condition; so we now have the position where some companies install a meter on change of occupancy, others don't.

The reason lies in the way Water companies are funded. Essentially they are allowed regardless to raise revenue of xxxx£million(and make xxx£million profit) and thus have no incentive to have a fair charging structure.

rebeccak

When I bought my flat, I contacted my water company to let them know and, as part of the process had to indicate whether the property was on a meter or just paying normal rates (You either had to ring a different number, depending on which applied, or it was an option on an automated menu - I can't remember which). I wasn't aware of there being a meter and had never lived anywhere that had one so chose that option (I also assumed that, if this was incorrect, they would have that information on record for the address and would re-direct my call to the right team.)

I then started receiving the fixed bills for non-meter users. However, I later discovered that there are water meters for all the flats located around the back of the block of flats. I didn't take a meter reading when I moved in because I didn't know there was a meter and am happy to continue paying a fixed bill but is there any problem with me doing this? I'm just slightly concerned that one day they'll realise that there's a meter, claim that the meter reading would have been x when I moved in (which I can't disprove) and send me a large bill.

Gunner02

My fixed bill was £22.17 per month, I had a water meter installed in October 2011 and straight away my payments were reduced to £10.72 water and from £27.18 to £17.00 sewerage. I have just received my first bill for 3 months and the value was an amazing £8.50.

The Water company said they will inform the Sewerage of the useage so I'm looking forward to a refund soon

I have 13 months to make up my mind if I want to stay on the meter, I think I know now.

Indiewitch

Hi,
We moved into a new-build house in July 2000 and it already had a water meter. Our bills were set at around £25 a month. However they have steadily risen to £40 a month up to September 2009. In Sept 09 we received a bill for estimated charges totaling just over £800 for the following year! I rang Northumbrian Water and was told my payments would go up to £75 a month. I rang a couple of weeks later to dispute this again, and was told it should have been £450 NOT £800 as it was a typing error or their part.

I received my latest payment scheme in January this year and it is asking for payments of £74 a month as i says I have arrears of over £230 due to the payments not going up to £75 a month in Sept 09! I explained that they said it was a typing error and they are disputing this. All the houses on our estate are metered and all the same size yet most of my neighbours are paying between £30 and £45 a month. Our meter is actually outside next doors property (next to their meter). I have asked them what they are paying a month and he man said he couldn't tell me as he cant remember getting a bill.

The last time I rang Northumbrian Water the lady said we were using enough water for 7 heavy users.There are 2 adults and 2 children living in my house (and has been since we moved in). We dont have a dishwasher and the washing machine is used no more than 5 times a week (on the economy setting) toilets are not flushed between the hours of 10pm and 8am. I have a bath every day and my husband usually uses the same water after me. My daughter has a shower (not a power shower) every morning, and my son has to be forced to take a shower (as is normal with 12 year old boys!)

Can anyone shed some light on this, as I am totally baffled. Even Annette at Northumbrian Water cant understand it.
Thanks in advance

Gothicfairy

Have you actually flow tested the meter to make sure it is yours and also to check that there are no leaks ?

If not then do that first

Indiewitch

Yes we did the self leak tests and someone is coming out to check the meter tomorrow. (Well the meter which they say is ours) I will let you know how we get on tomorrow

Gothicfairy

If you have flow tested the meter then you must know which one is yours ? or is there some doubt ?

Indiewitch

We flow tested the meter which has the same number as on our statement, but the 1st time we did the test the numbers moved, and the 2nd time (next day) the numbers didnt move which is why we requested someone to come out and check the meter. There is no way we can be using the same amount of water as a family of 7. Its got to the point now where I'm so conscious of using too much water that when I run a bath I only put about 5-6" of water in it.

mullsy

Hi all
I have just received my water bills from United Utility
Has anyone else noticed that You have to pay a standing charge (£16) for wastewater? A standing charge for what to have a sewer in the road which was installed by the home builder because if its on you land then you are responsible or so the utility company keeps saying when trying to sell me cover.
To add insult to injury I am now also expected to pay for surface water/ highway drainage as well another whopping £66 for water running off the road into a sewer that I helped pay for in the first instance and also I am charged for the fact that it is there Talk about RIP OFF BRITAIN.
Surely this is wrong that I a expected to pay for water landing on the highway.
Highway is right the utility company just missed the last word robbery.
What do others think is this the same all over the country or just in the rainy damp north west
Paul