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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a water meter?

81 replies

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 11/02/2016 17:33

DH thinks so and I'd be interested in other people's opinions/experiences. We moved fairly recently into a 4 bed detached from a 2 bed terrace. We paid £18 per mth and they want to increase it to 60. The house is worth approx double the two bed terrace so why would the rate value be triple? I think it would be cheaper to get a meter wouldn't it? Our usage hasn't actually changed as we have small can not independent teens using showers etc so AIBU?

OP posts:
Quietlifenotonyournelly · 11/02/2016 22:26

suitsIs that because you have one company that deals with supply and another dealing with sewerage? Are you on the border of two companies?

TheBitterBoy · 11/02/2016 22:40

Most water companies have a calculator on their website where you can put in your usage and it will tell you if you will be better or worse off. As far as I know the water sure scheme for people with certain illnesses only apples if you are in receipt of particular benefits. Worth knowing that in some parts of the country compulsory metering is rolling out.

suitsyousir79 · 11/02/2016 22:41

Quietlife yes thats correct.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 11/02/2016 22:48

In a few years time we will all able to shop around for our water supplier, things are going to get competitive then.

Andrewofgg · 12/02/2016 05:03

In the medium term a system which allows high users to choose a flat fee and low users to have a meter is not sustainable, is it? We will all end up metered and the sooner the better.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 07:08

The government would like all to have meters but compromised in that new builds from 1991 had to be metered. That is also why once an occupier gets one fitted it can't be removed.
People forget that we arent paying for water, we pay for the treatment of it and sewerage.
Of all the water that is used in a property, 90% of that water returns via the sewage system to be treated.
We are also paying for costs in bringing clean water to our homes etc.

We are lucky to have clean, safe drinking water and the means to treat waste.

Andrewofgg · 12/02/2016 08:16

That compromise cannot last for ever. We should all expect to pay for what we use.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 08:21

Water poverty is an issue already in this country, unless more provisions are made it would only get worse for larger families IMO.

Andrewofgg · 12/02/2016 08:24

So is food poverty, so is fuel poverty, but nobody suggests that you should be able to use as much power as you want and take what food you want from the supermarket by paying a fixed fee based on the notional rental value of your home - or do they?

Perhaps that should be nobody outside Guardian-reader-land!

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 09:08

That's right andrew but water was never (as far as I know) a pay by consumption necessity like fuel and food.
I know the system of charging isn't fair but people have a choice to have a meter in properties without one.
I would rather be able to choose than have one forced upon me.

Andrewofgg · 12/02/2016 09:21

The trouble is that the present system allows people to choose to stay non-meter who use a lot of water and load their use onto low users. We all need fuel, food and water and the bigger the household the more we need. It's anomalous that in one case some of us are allowed indefinitely to go on using the flat rate system. Every time a home changes hands metering should be introduced do that flat rate charging died out.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 14:37

The government can't force householders to have meters so got round this introducing water meters for all new builds since 1991.
Legally water companies can't cut off the water supply to a property (residential) for non payment, therefore those that can't afford to pay or those that don't care or want to would abuse a metered system more causing bill increases for everyone in the long run.
It's already a problem that would be made worse, trust me.

wannabestressfree · 12/02/2016 16:36

Bitter it's certain illnesses not certain benefits. I work full time and get it.

specialsubject · 12/02/2016 17:20

The English water companies charge radically different amounts for water, and you can't shop around; you are stuck with the local one. Some companies subsidise metred rates to encourage meter use - the price per unit will of course go up once everyone has a meter.

other companies charge a lot whatever you do.

as we are going to be standing on each other's toes soon in the British Isles, water economy has to be encouraged.

I don't have a meter as it is considerably cheaper not to do so - but the garden still has water butts, the car is washed once in a blue moon and we try to minimise our use as a matter of course.

CheshireChat · 12/02/2016 17:41

I'm surprised by the replies here as everyone I know on a metre have saved a fortune, including us. We also could revert to the old rates after 12 months so it was worth it. We pay £30- £40/ a month so not too bad.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 18:55

special in a few years time we will be able to shop around for a water supplier.

specialsubject · 12/02/2016 19:56

...which probably means they will all charge the same!

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 20:07

I would hope not.

imwithspud · 12/02/2016 20:14

We're on a water meter in a 2 bed semi and pay around £33 per month. Our old house was a 3 bed end of terrace (smaller property despite having an extra bedroom) and we were paying £45 a month. Both with Severn Trent, so for us a water meter is definitely worth it.

imwithspud · 12/02/2016 20:15

Old house was not water metered by the way.

MissLanaBanana · 12/02/2016 20:19

We moved to a new house without a meter and I nearly fell over when the first bill came with our new monthly amount-jumped from £27 a month in out old metered house to £66 a month in the non metered one!
the water company sent two different people out to fit a meter and both failed-one due to shared drains externally and the other because installing one inside would mean ripping part of our kitchen out . They agreed to allow us to continue paying our old metered amount going forward, but without a meter. Saved us £40 quid a month without even asking.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 12/02/2016 20:24

That would be what water companies call an assessed charge then misslanabanana as they couldn't fit a meter.
Did they backdate (new payment) from the date you applied for the meter?

TheBitterBoy · 13/02/2016 12:14

wannabe I'm surprised by that - I work for a water company and we only offer watersure to people with certain illnesses who receive benefits as listed here:

wannabestressfree · 13/02/2016 16:55

I think it differs. I was offered it (by referral) through the hospital nurse when I had my bag fitted as I have to wash the sheets almost daily.

MissLanaBanana · 13/02/2016 18:57

I phoned up as soon as the bill came and the advisor said to carry on with my old standing order while the meter was fitted. It was a couple of months whilst waiting for the first visit and then the second one,then they agreed to let me continue with the old amount. Luckily I never had to pay the larger amount. To be fair our usage must be exactly the same because nothing has changed between houses.