Should I switch to a Water Meter?

Question

I live in the South West and my Water/Sewerage bill has now risen to £56 a month. Is this a lot? Should I switch to a meter?

Answer 1

depends how much you use.

check out your suppliers website and see how much / what ever. guestimate how much water you do use, a toiilet flush is about 9 litres.

thing i hate about water meters is the white meter principal.

lecy was sold on a white meter for storage heaers, loads of people got them as it was cheap, guess what lecy co put the price up

Answer 2

Once everybody is on a meter then we will be at the mercy of the water companies...

Answer 3

I have the same dilemma.  Mine is £45 a month, double that of five years ago.  I hardly use any water at all; relatively.  Single person, flat, no car to wash, buy sturdy clothes that can stand more than one day's wear (except the obvious).  It's outrageous.

I've read some of the other replies.  I'm going to write to my MP.  (I hope I have more success than last time)

Answer 4

i work for a water company and a water meter is best if you decide ever to move house they will automatically put one in anyway

Answer 5

We're on £16/month.  Ok.  We shower instead of the bath, that's the  only major change we've made.  In the place before we were on £23 a month  water rates, 17 years ago!

Answer 6

You are paying a lot for water and other water related services.  Here in London, I'm paying about £400 a year.

Having a water meter here is a no deal situation because Thames Water said fine, we'll slap one in for you, but it's gonna cost you £200.

If you can get a water meter installed for free, I strongly recommend you get one.  You will then pay for what you actually use and not what everyone else is using.

If you are unable to get a meter put in, my best advice then is for you to at least get your money's worth and have the sprinklers going flat out all summer - nice greeeen lawns etc.

Answer 7

Depends on how many people in your house / are they heavy water users....

If you live alone then yes you could cut your bill by over 50%.

If you have a family of 4 or more then it may be boarderline.

It is possible to have a meter installed but if you don't find it cheaper then go back to the bills based on ratable value although you must decide within the first 12 months. Check with you water company.

If you sell the house the new owner will be on the meter.

Check out this website to see if its worth you having one:

http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=4380...

Answer 8

Think carefully as once a meter has been fitted to your house it can never be removed and if you ever want to move someone with a large family would not buy it as it only works out financially better for a single person or a couple - as soon as you start watering your garden, having bath every day and doing more then a couple of loads of laundry a work it is not worth it.

there are some websites that can help you work out if you would be better of with a meter - i think one is energywatch

Answer 9

Well if a small household,  with limited usage,  yes definitely..   Costs nothing for installation..of meter...    .

Answer 10

Whatever system they choose to adopt to charge you money,  the purpose will always be  to INCREASE the amout payable.... whatever the system   so don't be naive.  

Read what CLIVE H  says  (above)

Answer 11

yes that's what the water companies are trying to do "gently persuading you" because there's no justification in the extortionate bills they are sending in

Answer 12

grrr south west water.... yes you should , and still moan too, we have the highest bills in the country........

Answer 13

usually if there are less people than bedrooms in your house ist cheaper, look on uswitch there is a thing on there for working it out

Answer 14

Oh most certainly,that is if you are a single person,especially.They want you to switch,and will do it free for you.you will save a bomb

Answer 15

I live in the South West too, and switched to a water meter 2 years ago. My bills are usually around £40-00 a quarter. ( £160-00 ish, a year.) There are only 2 of us, but I made a decision not to skimp on my water, and make life miserable. I use water, exactly the same as I did before I switched, but made a few changes. (water butt for watering the garden during summer, making sure I have a full load to put in the washer, showers, instead of bath's and a few more  common sense changes.) I am thrilled to bits with my bills now, and you always have within a year to change your mind if you find it's not working out.

My daughter has 4 very young kid's, and was petrified when she moved into a house already fitted with a water meter, but has also discovered she is saving money too. With the extortionate billing system in the South West, compared to the rest of the Country, I would say "go for it" As I have said, you can always have the meter removed if you find it's not working out.