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Original poster

Water bill

22 replies

1down · 29/07/2023 20:12

How much is your water bill per month, if you are on a meter?
They have raised my direct debit to £70 per month which seems insane. Family of 5, thames water.

OP posts:
Justwingingit2005 · 29/07/2023 20:25

Old fashioned water rates here. £600 quid a year family of 5.

NannyGythaOgg · 29/07/2023 22:31

I live alone, I'm a pensioner and not a high user and pay £14, which is great. But, I only shower a couple of times a week, only use the washing machine and dishwasher a couple of times a week. Home all day so fairly frequent loo flushing and hand washing.

5 x £14 is £70 so that sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Bookish88 · 29/07/2023 22:38

£42/month, family of three, Yorkshire. Yours doesn't seem terrible for a family of 5.

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Cost of living
NadjaCravensworth1 · 29/07/2023 22:52

Family of 3 and it's about £30 I think. Southern water

RandomMess · 29/07/2023 22:56

United Utilities which is more expensive than Thames. £60 per month metres for 5 adults including one that has 25 minute very hot showers daily Angry

TomorrowsPrincess · 29/07/2023 22:59

United utilities here in the north west. Family of 4 adults and 2 children. Three bathrooms. £10.44 per week via Direct Debit on a meter. We are all generally out during the day time so only evening use and apart from the 2 children, we all mainly use the shower and not the bath.

StartSWagaintomorrow · 29/07/2023 23:00

£80 a month teenager has 2 or 3 showers a day and I’m always doing laundry.

Original poster
1down · 30/07/2023 10:56

Sounds like it varies massively. Husband who is a fan of his daily bath, 2 on weekend days and teens who shower 2 times a day are hiking it up!!

OP posts:
Paddleboarder · 30/07/2023 10:59

£44 and there are just two of us.

Beezknees · 30/07/2023 11:03

£20 a month. We are a family of 2. Both have a shower daily. I do about 3/4 washes a week. We don't have a garden so no hosepipe or anything. Neither of us are keen on baths.

LadyLapsang · 30/07/2023 11:10

Doesn’t sound unreasonable considering your usage. We pay under 30, possibly 25, not sure of the figure. Two of us, daily showers, run the dishwasher 2-3 times pd, washing machine on at least once per day, usually more. Possibly one bath pw. Wash the cars, water the garden. I always buy the most economical machines so that makes a massive difference and I try to use the eco setting on the dishwasher.

RandomMess · 30/07/2023 16:42

We put a water flow reducer in our shower head (free from UU but cheap to buy) brought our water bills down - DD & SIL looking at you!!!

The long showers used more water than DH having a bath. Shower still decent enough to wash my thick long hair easily and better than most showers I get to use in hotels and at friends etc.

Do plenty of washing, try to bung everything in the dishwasher. Don't leave tap running when brushing teeth etc. told the DDs not to shave legs with shower running too.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 30/07/2023 16:47

Thames Water. Two adults who bath and shower daily, sometimes twice.
Lots of washing due to a dirty job.
Water hanging baskets and a few pots in the garden.
£40 a month on the meter.
Was £96 a month based on rateable value when we had 2 sons living at home.

MiniStormInATeacup · 30/07/2023 17:55

Are you on a meter?

DD could be raised if you have a balance outstanding to help you clear that along with increased usage for the next year.

Any change of use in last year? Long term guests? New hot tub? Etc.

Can you call and ask why the increase?

RandomMess · 30/07/2023 18:03

You can also check for leaks by taking the meter reading then turning the stop cock off for several hours and checking it hasn't moved.

Original poster
1down · 30/07/2023 19:53

RandomMess · 30/07/2023 18:03

You can also check for leaks by taking the meter reading then turning the stop cock off for several hours and checking it hasn't moved.

Might sound stupid..but the stopcock inside? I'll have to see if I can see the watermeter it's outside

OP posts:
RandomMess · 30/07/2023 19:56

Yes either turn it off or just ensure you don't use any water.

Eddyraisins · 30/07/2023 20:07

£25 pcm family of 3.

Original poster
1down · 30/07/2023 20:09

Eddyraisins · 30/07/2023 20:07

£25 pcm family of 3.

I'll give it a go in the morning

OP posts:
Original poster
1down · 30/07/2023 21:15

MiniStormInATeacup · 30/07/2023 17:55

Are you on a meter?

DD could be raised if you have a balance outstanding to help you clear that along with increased usage for the next year.

Any change of use in last year? Long term guests? New hot tub? Etc.

Can you call and ask why the increase?

In Jan we were £43 in credit. Paid £55 a month. Now have an outstanding balance (debit) of £46.
They have raised it to £69 but have said that it should be £79 to cover us.
So we have used £90 more than we have paid. But they want to raise it by £24 a month. £15 month would cover the difference.
I'm going to check the meter for usage when it's not being used and get this lot to be more aware.

OP posts:
NothingWrongButTheFire · 30/07/2023 21:19

I think there is quite a range of costs across the different water boards - making it hard to truly compare but...

3 adults, Anglian water, £65pm.

MiniStormInATeacup · 30/07/2023 23:22

The increase will be because of usage and to clear balance. Cost per unit may also have increased since April 2023.

Good idea to check meter. Turn off at meter if on street if still turning leave off but turn internal stop tap. If still turning its a leak between meter and house.

Internal - check for leaking taps and toilet cisterns.

Have you filled a pond or pool - can apply for sewage abatement.

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