Water company says we're using too much water

[AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings]

And I can't work out why/how to use less.

Our water usage went up at the start of lockdown- not surprising as there was now x3 of us at home, it was summer and we were potty training a toddler.

Now our water company are saying we're using too much (we've got a water meter btw and pay for what we use) and sent someone round to talk to us about water conservation.

Thing is… We're quite water conservation conscious in general. Use eco setting on dishwasher, have a wet-room type shower so save shower and bath water in buckets for flushing toilets and watering plants (used the hose maybe 10 times in total this year and that includes filling small paddling pool - water that was also reused).

I even reuse pasta and veg water for watering plants.

Dh and I shower with our toddler so we're not having x3 showers per day or anything. And about 50% of that water is saved in buckets - including the cold water run off at the start.

I use the washing machine about x5 a week.

We don't have a car to wash. No ponds or swimming pool.

They're checking if there's an error but are certain that there's not.

Does anyone have any idea how to save water when you're already doing all the obvious things?

Filling the kettle to the top doesn’t save water. In fact only using enough water for your needs saves electricity Rather than boiling 6mugs every time you need 1

I'm very sceptical about the Water Companies' estimates. Prior to asking to be switched to meter-based payments (meter installed a year ago) I looked at the last three communications from my supplier. They had wildly different estimates of my water usage, none of which were even close to the metered amount.

@LesLavandes if you're in England its against the law to cut off someone's water.
op its up to you how much water you use, you pay for it, and if its not causing you problems just ignore the advisor. they're coming at it from and eco point of view n order to acheive some corporate goal and you've taken it as criticism. I can't beleive they sent someone round to your house when so many other essential services are shut down

Was this the official in question, OP?

In protest op I’ll fill the kettle up, then tip the whole lot down the sink, whilst running both the washing machine and dishwasher whilst empty . Might even have a shower... but spend 6 minutes in 👍

Your % increase must be massive, but seeing as everyone is in a similar situation re working from home, loads of people must have increased water usage. Surely you must have a leak or a drippy tap? I doubt potty training a child can use that much extra water!

They will be on targets for reducing consumption. My parents got a letter through the post and someone came round, same with loads of their friends. They were all thrilled with all the free shower heads, tap mixers etc they were given!

I called the waterboard to say our (mains supply) taps had run dry
WB Expert turned up, opened our inspection cover, used a gadget to listen to the inlet pipe, and announced he had expertly detected the unmistakable sound of an underground leak in our garden, which we would have to locate fix and pay for all by ourselves; not their responsibility.

About two seconds later, a phone call told him a huge watermain had burst half a mile away.

I can't keep up with this thread but enjoying the outrage on my behalf!

Water bills are about £33 a month

Live in London so no water shortage that I know of

Guy was definitely legit.

We've all had water metres installed recently (maybe a year ago?) so I think they're worried that they've messed up or are trialling a new water saving service.

Bill went up £6 a month in last 6 months. But that's expected for us as baby no longer a baby and having showers instead of tiny tepid baths, more laundry etc.

@TheFlis12345

They will be on targets for reducing consumption. My parents got a letter through the post and someone came round, same with loads of their friends. They were all thrilled with all the free shower heads, tap mixers etc they were given!

This is basically what happened to us

I'm finally on top of the laundry pile from WFH, so could be that 😂

Actually had to buy more coat hangers 😖

I dont see what the problem is with how much water you are using. You are paying for it so whats the issue?

We also received a letter during lockdown telling all residents we were using too much water and I did feel hugely guilty. I stopped the children playing with water in the garden over the summer but otherwise I don’t think we’re too bad with our consumption.

@bigknickersbigknockers

I dont see what the problem is with how much water you are using. You are paying for it so whats the issue?

In the letter I received they said the issue was that they were at capacity with being able to clean the water and supply it to the customer. So we ran the risk of I assume water shortages.

I pay twice that for the same number of people and have never been told I pay too much. Are you sure it wasn’t a scam?

Blimey we use tons more than that. No way are you over-using! We've refused a water meter, but we did find out our bills were extremely high. My husband made a fuss about it and insisted they check for leaks and the did find a big one. You might have to kick up to get them to check though!

How many cubic metres is your household using each week, OP? Your meter will tell you this.

Crikey if your bill is only £33 a month then it is ridiculous to suggest you are using too much water. It also doesn't sound like you have a fault or anything as that sounds like an average bill. I would just ignore them and carry on as you are.

@ThankyouPeter mine is higher than that as well.

This is utterly bonkers!!! As a large family we have never been questioned about our water useage- I've never heard of this until today. Unbelievable!

£33 sounds about right to me.
I live alone - mine is £14 per month
My neighbours have just been told theirs has gone up to £40. They are just a couple, they are away quite a lot at their caravan and their daughter with 2 children stay whilst they are away So probably about 2 months this year.

Soth West Water here and we pay on a meter £59 for 3 adults. It went down from £88 p/m when my son moved out. I think £33 sounds brilliant!

@AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings

Bl**dy cheek. If you are paying on a meter then - leaks apart - it's none of their business.

This is very odd. They must be running a big 'water conservation' programme, targeted at householders. It's possible that they've targeted people based on % increase / total useage. It's also possible that they're going door to door, knocking on every one and using the same line with all - based on the idea that everybody could make some reductions.

I've certainly had power company door-to-door sales people tell me that I'm over-paying for power - without actually having any idea what I pay. It's just a line.

@ProfessorSlocombe

They can however fit an automatic meter reader to the meter if the water meter is pulsed. (AMR)

When the dials turn, when it completes a full turn it will send a pulse to the logger to indicate a full turn. They can then bill you accurately.

If the meter isn't pulsed then they can't fit it and would need to exchange the meter. They may do this free of charge.

Gosh i think we use far more water than you . My pasta water goes doen the sink.

Sadly i seem to be the only person capable of flusing the toilet as well as change the toilet roll.