I work for a water company, AMA

[HotSummer22]

Given all the news reports about hosepipe bans at the moment I thought people might be interested to know what it's like to actually work in water production. I've been in the industry for 10 years and worked for two of the big suppliers - ask me anything!

NC for this as could be outing when linked to my other posts.

When they test water quality, what do they look for? I remember reading that there are high levels of oestrogen in the water which has a effect on eels etc. Do they monitor levels of hormones in the water, and are they actually able to filter them out somehow?

Do you enjoy working for a water company OP? Does your company offer both water and waste services to its customers?

Sorry, I thought I had replied but looks like it got lost! There is a long list of things that are tested for in treated water, including bacteria, metals and pesticides. Hormones and pharmaceutical compounds are not currently on the official list.

All companies have to sample the raw water as well though, and this will often include looking for emerging risks like pharmaceutical compounds. If the Drinking Water Inspectorate think that they might pose a risk to health then they set limits to stick to. No idea on treatment for hormones if we need it in the future though as I am not a chemist, sorry!

I do! Every day is different, I get to drive around the countryside, and I go home every day knowing that what I do matters. I’ve worked for two companies and one was water only, the other did water and waste.

Has your company ever been in the news for negative reasons?

@HotSummer22 Thank you for all of your replies to my many questions - I have found them really interesting.

A very specific question: I live in a flat in a block of 6, we all have water meters (since the place was built, I think). There are little access hatches in the grass outside for the meters to be read, and I think you can turn the supply off from there as well.

The flats are on 3 floors, 2 and 2 and 2 on top of each other, so for example, numbers 1-6

5 6 top floor
3 4
1 2 ground floor

The access hatches are in the same configuration, in 3 pairs, and there are numbers written in white paint on the underside of each lid. But they are numbered

6 5
3 4
1 2

I live in flat 5, and I only found out about the numbers painted on the lids a little while ago, although I've lived here more than 20 years. I was away for work for 5 months out of 6 at the beginning of the year, but my water usage on my bill was higher than the same bill last year, so I think I may well be paying my neighbour's bill and he is paying mine. We both live alone, and I suspect the water usage is about the same - the bills I get are well below the average household usage that it tells you on the bill.

Is there a way this can be checked, and revised? Would it be a massive hassle to get the billing switched over? I'm half tempted to just leave it be, in case I end up paying more than I have been!

No worries, pleased to hear you’ve found it interesting!

That does sound complicated! Off the top of my head you could try:

If the stopcock to turn off each supply is in the same pit as the meter (or it is really obvious which one is which) then an easy way to confirm is to turn off your supply and see if water still comes out of your mains fed kitchen tap. Although if you think the numbers might be wrong maybe mention to the neighbour first!

Also do you have a leak anywhere? Dripping taps and toilets that keep on filling use an amazing amount of water over a day.

Finally you should be able to ask for help from your local company as they should be able to send an inspector to check what’s going on. Not sure what they do about the billing if it was wrong, probably just swap it from now on.