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News

oh crickey! Now they are talking about compulsory water meters!

44 replies

cranberryheights · 01/03/2006 11:30

Council tax going up. Gas and electricity going up. Now government has granted a southern water company the right to install compulsory water meters with other water companies expected to follow suit. With a toddler and a baby on the way I used lots of water. Can my utility bills get any higher ?! :(

OP posts:

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Piffle · 01/03/2006 11:31

I saved a bundle going onto metered water :)

GDG · 01/03/2006 11:32

Our new house has a meter (well, been here just over a year now) - we were worried about how much it would cost at first but it's much cheaper. There are 5 of us, the kids have baths most nights, the washer is always on - we don't exactly 'save' water iykwim!

spidermama · 01/03/2006 11:33

Hmmmm! We're with southern water and there's six of us in this house.
However, I think it's a good thing. We're culturally lazy. We need to cut down on water. It's messing up the balance. I think this is the best way to get people to care about matters outside their own front door.
I don't mean to sound self-righteous, but there is a bigger picture and we're ignoring it at our peril. And our peril would appear to be advancing at quite a rate. So let's climb out of our bubbles and start thining about the planet for the future of our kids.

Sorry, but I feel strongly.

LIZS · 01/03/2006 11:33

I know and we had already had notification of a hose pipe ban a few weeks back.

spidermama · 01/03/2006 11:34

I called southern water to complain that the Shell garage down the road is still letting people use the jet wash but they said this is re-usable water or some such nonsense. I came off the phone non the wiser.

mumfor1standfinaltime · 01/03/2006 11:36

I think water meters are a great idea! You pay for what you use and is a fairer system IMO. I have had one for 3 years now and my bill gets less every year because I am more careful about how I use my water.

kittyfish · 01/03/2006 11:37

Agree with Spidermama on this. We desperately need to start conserving water, esp in the South where there are so many new houses being built. This has been a very dry winter and if we have a dry spring we are in for major droughts.

I also loathe paying so much council tax - over £1300 for a two bed cottage ffs.

GDG · 01/03/2006 11:37

Fwiw I agree with you Spidermama - and dh feels even more strongly - he is forever coming into the bathroom while I'm brushing mine and the boys' teeth and turning off the tap while we are brushing

I am now saving water by swimming in the mornings at 7am so not having a shower at home

Hulababy · 01/03/2006 11:37

We switched to meter in our first housse and have had meters ever since, bar 1 year in rented. Much cheaper for us on a meter.

Gizmo · 01/03/2006 11:38

I think Spidermama has hit the nail on the head...

And it's worth noting that the UK is an anomoly in not having water meters for the whole population. A lot of countries with low rainfall (eg Israel) are universally metered and the result is sufficient water for all, even in a dry climate.

mumfor1standfinaltime · 01/03/2006 11:41

Kittyfish by council tax price! (I pay £1000 for 2 bed terrace, although still waiting for this years bill)

cranberryheights · 01/03/2006 11:42

Don't have the money to think this long term. Also, given the amount of water wasted by water companies, I think there are plenty of other places where the buck could stop first before hitting families with already high utility bills. Funny how it is always easier to hit the consumer rather than the big companies.

OP posts:

sparklymieow · 01/03/2006 11:42

was told the other week by three valleys water, that my new build house will have a water meter, not that worried tbh, I only a washing machine that is on daily, my dishwasher is a grade A which saves water, and we use showers ( and have a shower in the new house) so hopefully my bill will come down.

Bozza · 01/03/2006 11:45

crenberryheights there is no reason why you would use more water than anyone else with two small children. And I can tell you we are now paying less in a 4 bed house with dishwasher and larger garden and two children than we were in 2 bed house with small garden, no dishwasher, no children and no hose pipe.

Bozza · 01/03/2006 11:46

So actually I think you should be pleased about this.

kittyfish · 01/03/2006 11:46

The joys of Cotswold District Council.

Cranberry - a lot of the newer washing machines, dishwashers etc have very low water usage and there are other ways of using less water - not letting the tap run while you're brushing teeth being one of them, never washing half-loads, shower not bath etc.

mumfor1standfinaltime · 01/03/2006 11:47

Agree with Bozza.

GDG · 01/03/2006 11:47

Same here Bozza - we are in a much bigger house now, much bigger garden and have 3 children rather than the 2 we had in the other house - our water bill is signficantly cheaper here on a meter.

Gizmo · 01/03/2006 11:48

But Cranberryheights, water metering actually helps these companies locate their leaks so they can do something about them!

You can apply to your water authority for an estimated usage bill which will give you an idea of whether you are likely to save money on a meter. It's not impossible, and if you're not watering the garden regularly or using the hosepipe on the car it's entirely possible you might save water.

kittyfish · 01/03/2006 11:49

Supposedly it is cheaper and greener to use an 'A' rated dishwasher. I love saving the planet...

acnebride · 01/03/2006 11:49

cbh, i read one report about this which did say that there could be exemptions from having a meter fitted in cases of hardship, so maybe worth ringing them to find out?

But if GDG is saving with 5 kids, with any luck it will only mean lower bills for you. They shouldn't charge you to fit the meter, is that what you mean by not having the money to think long term?

have to say I'm pro meters too and have always found it cheaper but only have one child.

Gizmo · 01/03/2006 11:50

Question for all those of you with meters - where are they? Are they in a hole in the ground outside, under the stairs, where?

And how are they read?

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Gizmo · 01/03/2006 11:51

Doh, just realised my post before last should have read 'it's entirely possible you might save money' Sorry

kittyfish · 01/03/2006 11:51

\link{http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/286587/?version=1&lang=_e\here we go}

colditz · 01/03/2006 11:53

My water is really cheap on a meter, about 2/3 of the price of all the comparable families on set bills that I have spoken to.

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