Water rates question...

[Mike Jones]

Just received our 2008 water bill, and it's based on our historical rateable value.

For environmental reasons we are considering having a water meter fitted, but before plunging in just wanted to ask anyone who has a meter, with 2 kids, 2 cars and a busy washing machine, roughly what the size of their annual bill is.... anyone able to help?

Mike

 

[Netty]

I would guess your bills will be alot higher Mike.
I personally wouldn't get a water meter here until there was just the 2 of us.

 

[florida sun]

Hi Mike

I only have 1 child, 1 car and 1 very busy washing machine, however last year, I decided after advice from friends to get a water meter fitted. My average water rates was approx just over £800 per year before the meter was fitted. I have just had my first six month bill and its only £140, which should work out around about £240-£300 per year, a saving of over 60% on my previous bills.

When I first phoned the water company they guessed I would save on average about 40%-50% a year, based on the water consumption I thought we would use, so, so far, so good. I dont have a shower, just a bath so thats 2 baths min a day, washing machine is used about 5 times a week. Of course not everyone benifits from a meter, those that use a hose for instance on a regular basis, have loads of people living in one home etc etc, however its worth remembering that they will fit a meter for a year for you to assess the bills and if your not happy with the saving, or its works out more expensive they will remove it and you can go back to normal bills, but if you decide to keep it after a year, then you will always have to have a meter as they wont remove it after this time.

I know my circumstances and family total is different to yours, but thought I would share my experience of a meter with you.

Hope this helps.

 

[irongirlof12]

I live in a 'new build' so have not had water 'rates' for a long time - i love knowing that i pay for what I use. I fill the pool 4-5 times in the summer, wash the car 1 a month and have deep hot baths 2-3 times a week but shower mostly. my washing machine is on 1-2 a day. I don't have a dishwasher ( apart from DH!)

I pay £27.00 a month for both water and sewage.

If you ring your water co. you should get a quote for using a meter instead.

you know it makes sense

 

[Claire L]

Just DH and I with a water meter. We pay £5 a month for water and £4 for sewerage, but it is likely to go up once we start to pay for run off water! ALthough the payment for water maybe reduced a bit as built up a far amount of credit, think it was £12 a month until the middle of last year.

Claire

 

[Goofyish]

Our water rates last year were £300 and when we checked on the Severn Trent website it estimated our bill with a water meter would be about £340 (4 people, 2 cars, busy washing machine and dishwasher, mostly showers).

We are a family of 4 in a 3 bed semi.

I would check on your water boards website to see if you can do an online estimate

 

[kristieuk]

Yes, if you call your water company they will ask a number of questions and be able to estimate what you would pay with a meter. But as Sue says, if you go for the meter and change your mind in a year having had the opportunity to try it out, the water company are obliged to remove it within that period. For the record, we pay £37 a month, that's a 4 bed house, I use the washing machine about 4 times a week, and there are 4 of us.

 

[Mike Jones]

cheers m'dears! I'll have a look on the websites etc.

Mike

 

[wayneg]

We changed exactly 1 year ago. This time last year a bill dropped thru my door for £425 so I filled in form online (Monday) to have meter fitted, Wednesday they came to fit it. We are 3 adults, Jointly at least 4 showers a day, dishwasher at least once a day, washer once a day, large garden to water, 2 vehicles to wash, use loads of water.
We decided for 1st year to not think about the meter and just use whatever we wanted. 1 year on it has cost me £250, a £175 saving.
We got estimates off website, it said about £300 so they were not far out and you have upto 12 months to tell them you remove it if your bills are more expensive.
I just wish I had done it about 10 years ago when my Uncle told me the savings he was making.