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Do you have a water meter?

(44 Posts)
tanith Tue 28-Jun-22 09:57:08

18 mths ago Affinity installed water meters in my area with promise of ‘comparison’ bills within 6 mths. We are still on unmetered tariffs till they switch us over to fully metered later this year. We’ve never received our ‘comparison bills.
So any of you who are on water meters did you find your bills went up or down once on the meter? I live alone and only shower no baths so I’m hoping my water bill will be less on the meter.

Calendargirl Tue 28-Jun-22 18:34:42

imagine how much water we used with three teenage girls in the house

That’s the whole point though. Everyone needs to be aware of how much water we use. Often hear parents say, quite proudly, “Oh, my daughter/son spends about half an hour in the shower!”

Well, if you’re paying for how much you use, it might encourage a bit more moderation.

Whiff Tue 28-Jun-22 19:03:25

I have a water meter and love it. I pay half what I did where I used to live. Had no choice in the Midlands had to pay the same as everyone else. But here only pay for what I use. I save water I wash veg in for the garden as I hate wasting water.

Pittcity Tue 28-Jun-22 19:15:41

We have smart water meters here and so we can check our usage via a phone app. Here in the dryest part of the country we pay more for water but it is still cheaper than before we had a meter.

BTW a dishwasher uses less water than washing up by hand.

biglouis Tue 28-Jun-22 23:24:10

I have a water meter and as a single household I appreciate the benefit of only paying for what I use.

At least I am not subsidising families as I am via council tax.

Riverwalk Wed 29-Jun-22 08:22:53

Seventeen years ago when I moved here the water rates were over £500 pa, goodness knows what they would be now. With a water meter I pay less than half that, last year it was £220, direct debit £18 per month.

annodomini Wed 29-Jun-22 09:09:13

I had one when I lived in a 4-bed house and it was worthwhile, but when I downsized to a 2-bed terrace house, the water company told me it wasn't worthwhile.

cornergran Wed 29-Jun-22 09:44:55

Same here anno. A meter saved us money with two of us in a 4 bedroomed house. Moving into a two bed we weren’t sure, consulted the water authority who talked us through a questionnaire and said best not to have a meter. As this is an expensive area for water we took their advice. Not having a meter doesn’t mean we waste water, we’re careful with use.

SporeRB Wed 29-Jun-22 09:57:17

We have a water meter. When it was installed, our water rates with Severn Trent Water went down from £90 to £20 per month for a 4 bed semi.

Happysexagenarian Mon 18-Jul-22 14:35:06

Our house had a water meter when we moved here. I wasn't keen on it. But I was very pleasantly surprised, it works out a lot cheaper for us.

karmalady Mon 18-Jul-22 14:45:45

water meter. Wessex water in somerset, 2nd most expensive water. Single and I pay approx £225 a year

Garden is almost established so I have used less water this year and wondering if it will make any difference to my next bill

fiorentina51 Mon 18-Jul-22 14:52:38

Hopefully I'm having one installed next week. It was this thread that got me thinking about it. Used the online calculator and discovered I could be saving myself around £300per annum. So, thank you very much!

Calendargirl Mon 18-Jul-22 15:02:21

Chatting to an acquaintance at swimming, and talking about water usage. She said she couldn’t have a meter as they have shared water access with a neighbour, ?‍♀️ and her bills are high for just herself and DH.

I said I was sure if you couldn’t have a meter for whatever reason, your water company could estimate if you would be better off if you could have had one. She made enquiries, upshot is she is now saving about £20 a month.

She was so pleased she made that phone call.

crazyH Mon 18-Jul-22 15:02:57

Water meter is definitely less than Water Rates. I used to pay nearly £50 pm on the rates system. Now it’s about £19 pm

welbeck Mon 18-Jul-22 15:08:21

mine has gone down from £700 to less than half that.

AreWeThereYet Mon 18-Jul-22 15:26:13

Well, if you’re paying for how much you use, it might encourage a bit more moderation.

Not round here. All the new houses near me were built with water meters nearly 30 years ago. The mindset round here is 'We pay for it so why shouldn't we use it?' Despite letters warning of drought (we've had hardly any rain for about 8 months) many of our neighbours are gaily filling paddling pools every day, washing their cars and watering their gardens. If/when a drought hits us they'll all be up in arms expecting the water company to some how produce water out of thin air.

NotAGran55 Mon 18-Jul-22 15:49:34

We had a meter installed last September and our payments have reduced from £96 per month to approximately £35.
Thames Water.

biglouis Mon 18-Jul-22 15:57:20

I had a water meter installed as soon as I moved into this house even though I was renting it at the time (later bought it). Paying so called water rates as a single childfree person is just one more way of subsidising families.

Pudding123 Mon 18-Jul-22 16:05:38

There are 2 of us and we have a water meter and try to be careful of our usage but it is £31 a month ,I wonder if the charges differ much in different parts of the country..I am in Manchester