General Chat

We don't have a water meter. OH won't change but I am wondering if we would really save money with a meter. We have just had our bill for the coming year and the amount is £477.90 including total water charge of £220.72 and total sewage charge of £257.18. A friend has told me they only pay £200 or so a year but I don't know if this includes sewage charge.

There are only two of us in the house.

Goosie

mines £382

seams a waste of money when they get it free

What I do know is that even on a meter you still have to pay all the standing charges. I am just wondering if we would save much.

LOL - They get it free but they do treat it for us so we can drink it safely!

Our daughter moved from a 3bed mid terrace house to a 3 bed detached that was a fairly new build so had a Water Meter. she pays almost half of the old rates for her present house and she still doesnt do anything different in the water consumption.

Thanks Shirley.

I really think we should give a meter a try. They've offered us a trial; if we don't like it we can go back to unmetered water.

My husband is being very stubborn about this!

if you can opt out i to would give it a try

JOy, water itself might be free, but we couldn't drink it just as it is. Besides the pipes, the water treatment plants, and the means of getting it to us ina good safe clean condition isn't free, and that's what we pay for.

Are you aware that the water we drink has been through our systems at least seven times?

My water bill is about the same, got mine yesterday, and unfortunately my landlord doesn't want to change to metered supply, which is a shame.

But I think the sewage costs are taken into consideration in the metered charges...

Had my Water Rate bill whilst still in February, and they are not due for the first half year payment until April 1. Though it was a bit of a flippin cheek. Talk about being on the ball
Anyway mine is a total of £246.70 for both sewage and water supply, for the full 12 months, and payable in two halves 1st April and 1st October.
Julia in Derbyshire

I'm seeing a huge variation in charges across the country here....hmmm I smell a rat.

I'm with Anglian Water, and my bill, for two of us in a tiny one-bed flat with only a shower is £427.50

£196.50 for water supply
£231.00 for sewage.

TW
they are making millions from us
and we have no choice

so they have us over a barrel

TeresaW - Meant to say, we are with Severn Trent.
Water Supply is £130.61
Sewage is £116.09
TOTAL £246.70

Same as you say, different costs around the country
Julia in Derbyshire

Well i've had a meter for about 5 years now...... one bed house with single occupant and my bills halfed!!

I pay monthly by direct debit based on previous years usage. and currently my combined annual charge for water and sewage is £129.60 ................

it should be a standard rate through out the country
based on how many people live in a house

Our bill for £477.90 (Anglian Water) is for the two of us in a three bed semi.

We chose to stay unmetered when the children lived here but I should think we would save a bit now. The standing charges for water and sewage total £345.64. If we saved half of the balance it would only make a saving of about £67 a year.

I must confess I don't know if we would benefit much.

I thought that without a water meter water rates were based on the rateable value of the property, which means that you pay different amounts for water based on the rateable value, not the amount of water used or where in the country you live. I'm not sure whether the water company charges are the same though.

We have a water meter at this house (3 bed bungalow) and for the 2 of us paid Severn Trent for water and sewage £228.28 for the last 12 months.(£95.03 for water, £133.25 for sewage)
At our previous bigger house with a lower rateable value and with no water meter we paid a lot more.

Thanks Ann, that is very helpful.

My friend who has a smaller house (with a meter) says she pays about £200 a year.

I shall tackle husband dear very soon. If we could save £250 year that is a substantial amount.

Does the water meter system work the same as gas and electric ?
We have them on meter,and find it much better for us,and had no big bills to look forward to.I know they work out a bit dearer,but pay as you go I find much better for us.Always had wamth through the cold spell and never ran out.

We have always been grumbling here in wales re our water bills, over the border in Chester and liverpool their rates are much lower than ours, and the gripe is their water comes from Wales.

My water bill was over £880.00! how can they justify that!

We rang the meter office up and applied to have the meter installed (you have a year to change your mind) if you want can have it taken out.

There are three of us (son 27!) who lives in the shower, so I was a bit hesitant........this year our bill will be £300.00 less.

I would say that if there are just 2 of you, you have got to be on a winner, when you call the office they will calculate "your saving" by asking key questions, when you have the option to try the meter and have it taken out if not suitable.....you dont really lose anything do you.
Ann

Mo,

It is direct debit for me......should you not use as much water as predicted, the excess is credited back into your account......but you need to keep an eye on your water board statements.

Annx

Mine is paid to two different companies
Anglian Water (sewerage) £251.81
Essex & Suffolk Water £233.02

There is just me in a small 3 bedroom semi.
Maybe now son has flown the nest it is time to consider a meter.

Have just read through booklet and I could change back 'up to a month after I have received enough bills to show how much water I have used in 12 months' so looks a fair enough deal.