Water Meter
 

Hi Folks,

I live in a house that when it was classified for water rates, was a 4 bedroom house with a family of 4/5 living in it.

It has since been converted to 3 bedrooms and it's only me and my girlfriend living there and whilst we have baths fairly regularly (as opposed to showering), we have no garden worth mentioning (patio with pots on) and I'm away quite a lot for work. I think the amount they want to charge for a year's water is far too much (£460+) for our use. We're considering switching to a water meter to save a bit of cash, but I understand you often can't go back to being unmetered and indeed, may even find the bills go up.

Does anyone have any advice on the matter? I've spoken to friends and responses range from "you'll probably save at least £100" to "It'll cost the same, but you'll just fret about the cost every time you have a bath".

Re: Water Meter
 

you get a year in which you can change your mind and go back to unmetered normally.
have a look at this

Re: Water Meter
 

Without a meter, our household water bill was £37/month. With a meter, £16/month. That's a family of 5 living in a 3 bed, with a garden (and a hose pipe etc).

I'm not sure about the option of going back to unmetered, but I don't want to anyhow.

Re: Water Meter
 

All new houses are on meters and many areas are enforcing existing systems onto meters so on that note I would imagine that you can't switch back once you've moved to a meter.

I am on a meter and find it is ok - didn't notice the difference. I'm up for it because it does make you more aware and frugal which IMHO is a good thing.

You can save money because of your awareness of the meter - don't use a hose to wash car/bike - take showers instead of baths etc.

Does you bill include sewerage (disposal that is!) as well?

Re: Water Meter
 

Our bill with a meter is approximately £100 a year less than without a meter - family of 3.

Re: Water Meter
 

Yes.

Thanks for the comments/advice, people.

Re: Water Meter
 

Unless you have an unusually high water consumption, then a meter will save you money. Those that pay more on a meter are likely to have many folks in house, use machine machine frequently, wash under running taps (:smt062 ) and generally not be concerned with water consumption.

We cut about £300 off our bill in our last house, as it was large, but we use water quite sparingly; so we saved aying for what we use rather than 'rates'

Re: Water Meter
 

i'll look into this, mine have just come @ £400!

Re: Water Meter
 

do you have to pay for the meter to be installed?

there is 2 people in my 3 bedroom house & its costing £360 a year..............................a meter should save us money i think

Re: Water Meter
 

If you're vaguely careful about water usage, £100 per person per year will cover it easily, significantly less if you're very careful (and don't mind smelling a bit :D ).

You can usually cut down the loo cistern capacity quite a bit, saves a litre or 2 per flush. A brick works well if it'll fit, or a milk bottle filled with water stood in there, no need for fancy gizmos.

Depending on your supplier, you can sometimes also save if your surface (rain) water doesn't go into the drains, mine goes to soakaways in the garden. Severn Trent is one who does this scheme, I think only a couple of others do.

I didn't have to pay for the meter to be installed (several years ago now), I think they're keen to convert as many as possible.

One word of caution, my meter had to go in the boundary box (outside water services Teed off before the entry into the house) and last year I discovered a leak under the drive. Fortunately dear old Severn Trent will usually give you one "adjustment" providing you fix it as soon as you discover the leak. Just as well, my leak had let out about £750 worth of water!!!!!!!!!!!! They let me off. Love them.