does anyone have a water meter? is it cheaper?

[paddingtonbear1]

We currently pay £56 a month water rates. My friend has a water meter (installed before she moved into her house), and pays £25 a month! So a water meter can be cheaper? Do you have to pay to have one? We don't have many baths - generally use shower - but we do have a dishwasher. Only 3 of us live in the house, dh, dd and I. We don't use a hose much or have a sprinkler. Has anyone changed to a water meter, was it better?

[paddingtonbear1]

we do live in an expensive area (cheshire). council tax is £160 a month too!

[SlightlyMadStar]

I'm with severn trent and don't find it expensive

[paddingtonbear1]

it sounds like it might be worth looking into then. cheers!

[SlightlyMadStar]

I have just had a look at Anglian waters vulnerable househod scheme - which charges £300-350 per year.

Sevrn trents household scheme charges about £265 per year.

Severn Trents voulnerable charge is based on the average for all metered custumers in its areas.
If Anglians is the same - that does suggest that Anglian is quite a bit more expensive.

Nothing you can do about it though - other than move houses.

[janinlondon]

This article sets out potential costs and savings depending on where you are and what size household. Though it will also depend on whether you are a "light" "medium" or "heavy" use household. When we were sent the information a few years ago, the water company made an assumption that in a "heavy" user household there would be three to five baths per person per week. Which I found a bit staggering to be honest.

[janinlondon]

Oh it would help if I linked it I suppose!
Here

[MascaraOHara]

My dd has one (or two) baths a week, I have a shower everyday. We have a washing machine and dishwasher but I wouldn't have thought they are used excessively. We are out all day everyday FGS.

Bloody anglian water!

[hana]

we have a water meter and it is cheaper - with 3 small kids under 6 I do a fair amount of washing, dishwasher on every day and showers/baths most days.

I think everyone should have a water meter myself

[janinlondon]

I have done my calculations. A meter would certainly not be cheaper for us!!!

[paddingtonbear1]

Thanks janinlondon for your link. It says a water meter may well be cheaper for us! Think I will definitely look into it!