Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Water bill!

68 replies

solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:22

Moved into a new build three months ago. Just received my water bill from July to October. £239. Honestly want to cry. One bath, wash a few dishes and one batch of washing daily. Surely this can't be right?

It's accurate, water meter

OP posts:
ChimChimeny · 16/10/2022 13:24

That does seem high, ours is about £28 a month for a 3 bed with 2 adults & 1 DC.

How many people/bedrooms?

Original poster
solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:24

Just me! Two bedrooms

OP posts:
Needcoffeeimmediatley · 16/10/2022 13:25

Have they taken a reading?

Ours is £40 per month, 2 adults and 1 DC

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cost of living
Pinkflipflop85 · 16/10/2022 13:26

If its just, how on earth do you have enough to be washing daily?

WyldeSwan · 16/10/2022 13:27

Did you give them a reading when you moved in and now or are they (badly) estimating?

CallmeIT · 16/10/2022 13:28

I’d suspect a leak. 3 of us in our house and I pay £30 pm (metered)

Original poster
solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:31

Yes they've taken a reading. A reading was also given when I moved in.
My work clothes are always messy, so there's a daily batch to do.

OP posts:
Yesthatismychildsigh · 16/10/2022 13:32

Why do you do a load of washing daily if it’s only you?

Yesthatismychildsigh · 16/10/2022 13:33

Cross posted. That’s really wasteful. Could you not save them a few days and do a full wash?

wobytide · 16/10/2022 13:34

Sounds very high as others say. If you know how to do it and know where the meter is can you take a reading one morning and then turn off the water at your house via the stopcock then check again at end of day. Might indicate if a leak or if it's connected wrongly somehow and feeding more than one property

Pineapplemonkey · 16/10/2022 13:37

Just me in a 2 bed house, mine is £16 a month and I’m not particularly frugal with water……….. you must either have a leak or you are using a phenomenal amount of water

mavismorpoth · 16/10/2022 13:37

Did they adjust your bill to remove the bill from the reading you gave them when you first moved in?

Ask them, ask them to confirm what the reading was you gave prior to using any water, then what the charge for that would be.

Then what the reading is for the reading you gave after living there for a bit, what the charge for that is, and make sure it adds up.

Ask them to come and check for a leak.

Motnight · 16/10/2022 13:38

Check for leaks and ask water company to do so. Any chance that you are sharing your water supply with another household? We got a huge daily water usage bill and it turns out that we are sharing our water supply with next door. Took ages for Thames Water to understand and agree that was the case.

Original poster
solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:38

My job is pretty filthy. Really think I'd struggle to re-wear.
I'm going to head outside and see if I can access the meter.
I'm so worried with being pregnant and can't even pay a solo water bill.

OP posts:
ChilliBandit · 16/10/2022 13:40

Have you checked their reading? Our water bill came one and it said the Reading was an actual reading which wasn’t possible as our water meter is behind a locked gate. When I checked the meter it was nothing like theirs. They’d estimated and said it was an actual reading!

If it’s a new build, another very plausible option is they’ve connected the plumbing incorrectly and you are paying for more than your house?

MrsMoastyToasty · 16/10/2022 13:41

Can you take a photo of the bill (with the personal details covered up)? I used to work in the billing department of a water company.

BMW6 · 16/10/2022 13:43

You're having a bath every day? Switch to daily shower and occasional bath.

Original poster
solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:44

I don't have a shower fitted

OP posts:
Yesthatismychildsigh · 16/10/2022 13:46

solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:38

My job is pretty filthy. Really think I'd struggle to re-wear.
I'm going to head outside and see if I can access the meter.
I'm so worried with being pregnant and can't even pay a solo water bill.

Nobody suggested re wearing, just have a few sets of work clothes. Unless you work down a drain or something it’s going to add a fair bit to your water bill.
Have you checked they inputted the correct figure from the meter when you originally contacted them? We were recently told that our direct debit was going to treble. Turns out someone had transposed two numbers when they read it.

PorkPieAndAPickledOnion · 16/10/2022 13:48

We’re in a 4 bed, just two of us, no dishwasher, so wash all dishes in the sink, I have a decently deep bath every day and DH a shower, laundry 2-3 loads a week. We pay £29 a month.

You need to check that your water meter is only measuring your use and not somehow also other properties. This is a problem that does sometimes occur on new build estates.

Original poster
solosunflower · 16/10/2022 13:56

I'm going to contact Severn Trent asap tomorrow and hopefully they can offer some support with this.

I'm just heading outside to try and read the meter.
Thank you for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
CamsPaisleyCuffs · 16/10/2022 14:02

Water prices are not standard across the UK. A family in London will be paying much less for the same amount of water being used by a family in Exeter. Little use telling the OP what you pay unless you are in the same water authority. Better to say how many units you use a month and how many people live in your house

So OP, I live with a child and we use approx 6.6 m³ a month.

www.freeflush.co.uk/blogs/freeflush-rainwater-harvesting-blog/whos-paying-most-for-water-bills-in-britain

Hope you get it sorted.

LIZS · 16/10/2022 14:03

Severn Trent are one of the more expensive suppliers but unfortunately you have no choice.

CambsAlways · 16/10/2022 14:04

4 bed detached two ppl £55 pound month , yours is way to high

crimsonlake · 16/10/2022 14:05

I live on my own and wash clothes once a week, every couple of weeks I add another wash for bedding / towels. I only wash full loads.
I love baths but only take quick showers unless I am washing my hair.
If you have no leak I suggest you cut down on baths or get one of those shower attachments you can attach to the bath taps. Also possibly save the water in the bath for flushing the loo or watering plants if you have any. It may sound grim but I have recently put a bucket in my shower to catch water.
I also wait until I have a sink load of dishes before I wash them.
I pay my water bill half yearly and I think it was about £125