CM Club: Why do I have to have a water meter??

[Katymac]

Apparently because I am a business I need to have a water meter fitted.

I don't want one

never heard of that one, sounds stupid to me. who's told you that you need one?

The water board

I don't want a meter as DD wets the bed each night - we do tonnes of washing, never mind the dishes we do

But I am careful with water (due to envronmental reasons) I never use a hose/powerwasher/water the garden and I am discussing getting grey water recycling to flush the loo with

So I am in a big strop

strop away! im in a strop too because my electric bill is £52 a month and im notearning enough. my expenses are more than my income at the minute.

For the first year it often is

I turnedover £10K in the first year & made a loss of £800.......

It usually gets a bit better....but you won't get rich doing it

my gas and electric is £80 per month but we always owe extra
think everybody makes a loss in the first year of bussiness but it does get better

Three Valleys Water (I'm on Surrey/Berkshire border) are saying that installation of a water meter is compulsory now whenever someone moves into a domestic premises - also includes change of tennent.

Their booklet also says that homes built from 1990 onwards will have a meter, so for anyone considering moving home to a newish build property, be prepared for being on a water meter.

Consumer Council for Water has some helpful info, though from the look of it, water companies are introducing meters over a period of time for everyone, so may just be something we all need to get used to.

Explanatory Notes for Water Industry Act 1999
Paragraph 9 is of interest, it notes that "Customers do not have a statutory right either to move to a measured charge or to remain on an unmeasured charge."

So alas, looks like if your water company has taken the decision to install a meter, then you are stuck with that decision.

I love having a water meter. Am one of those rampant green loonies who thinks everyone should have one.

I think water meters are a great idea Lio, but as a childminder I don't want one.

I have 4 washloads most days, plus hundreds of toilet flushing and little children love to watch the tap running and play with the water when they wash their hands. I daren't count the bowls of washing up water I use, with the countless beakers of drink, the snacks & meals. And all the hand washing before meals and snacks and after playing with pets, painting, messy play, outdoor play etc. And washing toys, washing windows (all those finger prints!)...

I think the water meters have now been introduced because water is a commodity that is used unequally so it has to be paid for..it is not an infinite resource, so because as you say childminders use a lot they have to pay for it as a business expense like electricity or telephone or stationery.

I am more than happy to pay for my business usage

However I do not wish to pay for my daughters bed wetting

Read in ?Good housekeeping? the other day that average household does around 270 loads of washing a year. I suppose if you do a LOT more than that, you're not really paying for the water that you use if you only pay water rates. Must confess (with two small boys and a water meter) I'm a bit of a menace when it comes to needlessly running taps...

Ayla - do you really think you do 4 loads a day - that's more than 5 times the average!!!

we fell under that moving into a new property thing, they wanted to fit one. I jsut kept ignoring them and eventually they gave up and we get standard bills. I have four kids, and a huge fishtank so I don't want one neither!

Not everyday, some days I only do 2 loads. 4 people in house plus mindies bibs, all the cot bedding, flannels & towels etc.