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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

£60 a month for water is ridiculous, right??

160 replies

PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:03

Posting here for traffic... Sorry for the dull subject matter!

Just received new water bill for the year, almost £60pm direct debit. Up from £43pm.
It's a rateable value bill, now thinking of switching to metered bill. Anyone have any experience of this working out cheaper? Only DS and me in smallish 3 bed semi.

I cannot fathom how the bill can possibly be £60pm! Will get on the phone tomorrow but wondered if anyone would care to share their experiences of water meters?

TIA

OP posts:
Okite · 01/03/2017 22:19

We're on rateable value too and pay £20/month for a large 5 bed house! I'd definitely switch to metered if I were you. I think I read that if you switch and find it's more expensive, you are allowed to switch back within the first year. But all water companies are trying to move people onto meters anyway so whether that would actually wrk or not I don't know.

Stoneagemum · 01/03/2017 22:20

It all depends where you live as well, different regions have different prices for water. In the SW a rateable bill for a band A (cheapest) property is circa £100 a month!

Original poster
PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:21

Sorry, I may be being thick here.....if I'm not on a meter, how would the the extra water wastage from a hypothetical leak be monitored?

OP posts:
pieceofpurplesky · 01/03/2017 22:21

Mine is similar OP. Today I had a letter from the water board and from the electricity board telling me that due to increases in something from the government then prices are being increased - £450 per year for the two Hmm

Okite · 01/03/2017 22:22

In the SW a rateable bill for a band A (cheapest) property is circa £100 a month!
Must depend where in the SW, because I'm in the SW and we don't pay anywhere near that!

Original poster
PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:23

Thanks for all the info everyone Smile

Think I'll look into a meter. I cannot work out how the water bill for one adult and a 3 year old can possibly amount to 60pm!

OP posts:
Seren85 · 01/03/2017 22:26

2 bed terraced house, 2 adults who both take baths as opposed to showers whenever possible and don't really scrimp on water useage....£28.99/month. No metre here, just got told what it was per annum when we moved in and they split it for the direct debit. £60 does sound an awful lot!

AndNowItsSeven · 01/03/2017 22:26

United Utlities op? Ours is also £60.

MrsMoastyToasty · 01/03/2017 22:27

If you're not on a meter the only way you will find out if you have a leak is to either see it (or evidence of it such as a sodden garden, damp walls ) or hear it. It won't make any difference to your bill.
If you're on a meter then if you turn everything off in the house and then go outside to the meter and it's still clocking up then it's proof you have a leak.

Gizlotsmum · 01/03/2017 22:29

Rateable value is based on average usage for an assumed number of people in a house so for 3 beds they would assume 4-6 people so you should make a saving. Check with your supplier but you might be able to return to unmetered bills if you have one fitted and it is more expensive ( normally within a year of it being fitted). If you have a different sewerage company those bills will also decrease.

Original poster
PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:30

Ah, ok sorry, got wring end of the stick.... Blush its been a long day....

South Staffs AndNow

OP posts:
RandomMess · 01/03/2017 22:32

I think you will make big savings on your water meter!!!

HappyFlappy · 01/03/2017 22:32

Placemarking so I can work out if we'd be better on a meter, too.

LowDudgeon · 01/03/2017 22:33

That increase isn't based on anything other than the water company's decision to raise their prices. It's a ridiculous rise. Ours creeps up every year but only by £1 a month ish.

Have you queried the increase?

Original poster
PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:34

Hope so Random! Smile

OP posts:
Desperina · 01/03/2017 22:34

When it was me on my own I spent ~20pcm (metered)

I think you are being had, get a meter!

Kiroro · 01/03/2017 22:35

Only DS and me in smallish 3 bed semi.

My water bills for 2 people on a meter are £25/month. We both have long showers every days.

Original poster
PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:35

No, not yet Low, only picked the bill up when I got in from work, so will call in the morning. Robbing sods!

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 01/03/2017 22:35

Water company price rises are set by OFWAT, the water company submits a 5 yr investment plan and OFWAT limit the rises customers can see to allow some investment to take place...

Kiroro · 01/03/2017 22:36

Also, if you find you are spending MORE on a meter if you say within 12 months you can go back to rates. But the meter stays in so when/if you sell the next person has to be on the meter.

BumWad · 01/03/2017 22:37

We are united utilities no meter and ours has gone up to £38 a month.

AllPizzasGreatAndSmall · 01/03/2017 22:37

We have three adults in a 3 bed semi, we pay £21 a month on a meter.

notangelinajolie · 01/03/2017 22:37

Not metered. Bill came today Direct Debit is £67 per month (x12 monthly payments). Thanks OP for this thread, I think I need to look at switching to meter. Slight reservations as we do use a lot of water - pool, v big garden which has water irrigation, 5 people.

Original poster
PrivateWeeingGoals · 01/03/2017 22:37

They have taken DD payment for march already. Am I within my rights to cancel the DD for the increased price until the meter is fitted? Mindful that they might take their time fitting it and then in the mean time take another DD

OP posts:
myst · 01/03/2017 22:37

Ours is metered and works out less than yours or a family of 5

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