How can I save on my water bill

[ScarlettSunset]

Hi,
I seem to use a lot of water. I didn't notice until now as I had very high bills previously due to a leak. After that was fixed they went down and I was happier. But although they are less, I've realised they are still high.

I live alone most of the time (kids away at uni and partner visits at weekends), but according to my bill I use more water than the average 3 person family.

I don't think I use an excessive amount so not sure where to cut back. I've already had another check for leaks and that appears ok on the meter so I'm not using any when I think I'm not etc. I don't have a power shower or use a hosepipe.

I thought I was quite economical with water but obviously not! I turn the shower off while using soap or shampoo, try to only use full loads in the washing machine, don't overfill the kettle etc. I'm trying to cut back on flushing the toilet now. What else can I do?

Thanks

How much water do you use? Have a look at this calculator and see if it aligns with your usage from the bills.

If it does then you know why, if it does not then you must still have a leak somewhere.

www.ccwater.org.uk/watermetercalculator/

Thanks I've used the calculator. It's nowhere near it - my usage appears to be literally twice as high as the calculator suggests even if I put in worst case amounts. I'm going to keep a close eye on the meter to see if I can work out what's happening. So far, there doesn't seem to be any leaks - the meter doesn't change if I'm not consciously using water. I'm starting to wonder if I'm being billed for the family next door instead!

If you can, check the meter in the morning before you are out for the day, then when you get home before you use any water. Also if you can fill something of a known capacity and see how that changes on the meter, so fill the bath completely ten times and see if that volume of water reflects correctly on the meter (slightly wasteful I know, but worth it from an investigation standpoint).

What is your usage? I sit next to someone who works on water meter outputs. He finds lots of errors. Agree with Matilda - check and see if the meter is ticking when you are certain you aren't using water.

Sorry, I'm dosed up on cold medication, I read your posts again. If you're sure the meter is not running when you are not using water then can you ask for it to be calibrated? My workmate has shown me meter readings that suggest people are using industrial volumes of water that cannot possibly be right.

Check for leaks on the following because these are your responsibility, not the water company's.

Dishwasher
Washing machine
Hot and cold taps.
Toilet overflows/cisterns.
Garden taps.
Overflows on header tank (if you have one).

Thanks all for your suggestions. I will see what I can do. It's been a couple of years since I had the leak fixed and I was pleased as the bills have definitely been dropping each year since then (just had the first full year since then) and I only just realised they are still far above average.

Yes I would do as one of the posters suggested above and check a period when you are out of the house to see if your meter figures changed.

For info, is your meter outside or inside? Just because this happened to me, I actually got billed for a different flat as they buried my meter outside during waterworks and couldn't be bothered fixing it so just put my meter number the same as a different flat on the system! I ended up getting a new meter installed directly inside under my sink.

Definitely something wrong with your meter or a leak.

Your water company can provide water saving devices(severn trent give them for free) such as shower separator, toilet cistern bags(they reduce the amount of water needed for a flush). You can also get leak tablets that will change colour

You're not a daily towel washer are you?

Or how much water do you use when cleaning etc. I've watched people at work use seem to use gallons when rinsing out cups or stuff to go into the recycling, when often a little splash is all that's needed.

Or maybe you are paying for next door's water? Have you asked them how much their bills are? We don't have a water meter because the pipes are shared with the house next door, so when I asked there was nowhere to put the meter inside our house. Could this have mistakenly happened to you.

Or obviously there could be a leak. If you can demonstrate using the calculator how much you should be using but your meter is indicating far more, that's evidence to keep on at your water company to sort out the problem. If there's a leak, it's also their problem, because it's not just that your bill is unfairly high, but that a lot of water is being wasted, when it is in their interest to reduce this.

Thanks everyone. My meter is outside in my front garden.
I don't think I use water excessively - definitely not a daily towel washer - I usually the washing machine about five times over a fortnight.
I am keeping an eye on the meter now while I am very consciously minimising what I use (to what feels a bit extreme to me if I'm honest) so I have info I can report to the water company (or find that I did just really use loads and I need to make more effort all the time)