1 bed flat, single occupancy, no water meter. Water bill £70?!

[Waterbill2025]

I live in Cambridge which is expensive but even so this seems ridiculously high.
What do others pay?

You can't compare to other areas as each company charges a different amount. If you can't have a water meter fitted you are stuck on the rateable value and it doesn't matter if you used a drop a day or a million gallons a day with rateable value you will pay the same amount.

Two of us in 3 bed detached, £50 a month. Yours does sound very high. Edited to say, we are on a water meter.

£70 a quarter? are you on a water meter or fixed cost due to no meter fitted at all?

If that's per quarter that sounds absolutely fine. Monthly and it's high

Get a water meter! Anyone still on a fixed rate is bound to be paying over the odds compared to their actual consumption

if a flat there may be no meter at all and they just put you on a fixed cost. It is called an unmetered charge and can't be varied.

Are you sure you’re not paying quarterly?

As pp have said, £70 per what?

As above, if you're paying based on 1973 Rateable Value it's a fixed charge irrespective of usage.

Speak to the water company who are billing you.You may be able to get a meter fitted. If that's not possible can they assess what your charges might be if a meter were fitted?

At the same time check you're on the best tariff.

The water companies are absolute robbing so and sos. We live in a Thames Water area and our monthly direct debit has more than doubled from £40 to £90. My friend who lives in a flat is paying £40 a month. She can’t get a meter.

It's £70 per month it's just gone up from £60. I was under the impression I couldn't get a meter as I live in a flat.

so you are on a fixed tariff due to the fact they cannot fit a meter?

Wow, that's shocking.

That does sound high are you sure it’s not a shared supply ? With downstairs maybe ?

Thanks, I will check with them.

you cannot change your tariff - but if you are unable to have a meter they should put you on a fixed cost based on number of bedrooms

What’s below you or
Next to you is it a flat above a shop ? You could ask them to
run their water and see if it’s registering on your meter , I think that may be the case here as that’s very high.

Ah sorry just seen your not on a meter , well I’d definitely apply to have one fitted then as

assessed meter charge

https://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/household/my-bills-and-payments/my-bill-explained/other-charges-and-tariffs/assessed-charges/

You absolutely can change your tariff though only with the same supplier.

All companies have metered and unmetered tariffs. Additionally they offer deals like aqua saver for people who need to use a lot and social tariffs for those on limited incomes..

That does sound a lot. I pay £20 a month.

You can have a meter in a flat.

My boyfriend was paying silly amount for his metered water and he lives alone in a flat. After much investigation it turns out he was getting billed for the meter of the flat opposite which is a big family.

Not saying that is what is happening in your case. But look into getting a meter. It really does cut costs down if you live alone.

It sounds like they’re mixing your water usage with another property’s as well.

I’m a household of two who shower twice a day each and we pay about £23 a month.

South West.

No? Most flats have water meters. They are generally fitted where the water pipe enters the flat.

They aren’t considering her water usage - it’s unmetered.