Are people with water meters getting fleeced more than those without?

[KievLoverTwo]

I'm confused, I've never had a water meter so please excuse my ignorance. There's a Martin Lewis post on FB this morning (can't link, FB won't allow, search 'More water bills rises announced today, on top of those already planned').

https://www.facebook.com/mrmartinlewis

In the comments, several people are claiming their water bills have doubled. But, as far as I'm aware, the highest rise OFWAT allowed this year was something like 47% down South.

So, where are these DOUBLE bills coming from?

I'm not on a meter and my bill has gone up 19%, which is exactly what I expected after the press releases earlier this year. I understand non metered charges are attached to rateable values from 1991 which can't be changed. Mine's £712 a year which feels a lot, but it's nothing compared to down south. A friend in London balked earlier in the year when Thames Water wanted £1200 a year for one person living in a 2 bed flat (he's not on a meter). He was paying £800 before (which was also silly, he should've got a meter before now).

I guess I'm asking because we're in the process of looking to move and I don't want to get lumbered with a massive water bill (for disability reasons, have to use quite a lot of water, unfortunately).

Also, WTAF, if people's bills really have doubled from one year to the next?

BBC article Martin linked to:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg4jkexgl1o?fbclid=IwY2xjawNUjWBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrWTai9igdnva4u1qSOuXX_S7DaGwZ34ZFI3XMcD8bvmmfy_e_mEvN14Br_O_aem_XCrqJpPRO8lrYSiSlxAGYA

tyia

Has your usage stayed the same? You might have a leak, although some bills are increasing by nearly 50% that is over 5 years not in one year

My usage is almost exactly the same. Identical for a year. More or less. I don’t think I have a leak anywhere though. I may try and test the meter when out tomorrow.

Never hurts to check you should also be able to find out what your unit rate is and what it was to see how much each unit has increased.

We asked for a water meter probably 6 years ago. Someone came round a few weeks later to identify where the water supply came in....and thats the last we heard of it. Thry said everyone would have to have one in 2 years anyway.that never happened. Having had to deal with them regarding our direct debit I dont have any confidence in them at all.

The website said that this April, non meter customers bills would be going up by 29% and meter customers by 19% , no wonder they aren't fussed about putting a meter in!

"Mine's £712 a year which feels a lot, but it's nothing compared to down south."

I'm with Wessex Water - one of the most expensive water companies in the country. In March we faced paying £1440.22 for the year April '25- April 26.

So we applied for a water meter. We are now paying around £78 a month on a meter and this may go down after a full year. That is still over £1000 a year.

I know the rate almost doubled as they sent me the letter confirming the new rates. Just seems mad to me they could hike it so much.

Anglia wanted £110 a month off me based on rateable value (4 bed semi). I switched to a meter in April and its £50 - there's only two of us and seems about right. Showers every day, dishwasher daily and washing machine around 3/4 times a week. Very rarely run the hosepipe unless doggo gets in a state.