Water Bills

[PuzzledObserver]

We’re in the process of buying our own home, after nearly 20 years of living in job-related accommodation, in which we have not had to pay council tax, water or phone/broadband.

I can get figures for council tax and broadband, but have no idea what to budget for water. It’s a new property (so metered) 2 of us living there. We will be in a fair bit during the day as we are retiring. I found an online estimating tool and told it

14 showers per week
3 baths per week
Washing machine 5x/ week
Dishwasher 4x/week
Toilet flush 10x/ day.

It came out as nearly £700 per annum. That seems an awful lot.... or is it just that it’s 20 years since I last paid for water.

How does that look to you?

I pay £38 per month for a family of four on a water meter in London.

Last time we were on a meter it worked out at about £350 a year for what would have worked out at around two thirds of your suggested usage, five years ago.

Will you be paying the drainage portion of the bill? If you are on private drainage you effectively get about 50% off.

How will you need 14 showers and 3 baths for 2 of you in one week?
Ours is a family of 4 and is £31 per month, however on our last statement apparently this is like 6 baths per day 18 wash loads etc ridiculously more than we really use so don't think its great at guessing anyway.

Depends... 2 bed bungalow, Two people, north, dishwasher and washing washing machine everyday, shower everyday.. garden hose over summer every night. £14 per month (on a meter)

£31 a month got two adults and three kids.

We pay £86 a month. For 6 in a five bedroom house.
4 usually shower daily
2 every other day
washing machine on once or twice a day,
dishwasher on daily.

Off meter we paid £42 a month.

Where you are and which water company it is makes a huge difference.
Thames water £380 per year two people ( one is 16) with a dishwasher. Includes waste water.
About to move to a house that draws from a private bore hole will be £150 per year. Separate septic tank which will need managing.
I have a rental property where Thames deliver the fresh water and Southern take away the waste water. That totals about £400 per year.

Where in the country are we talking? If you're looking in the South West then your water costs will be astronomical compared to other areas of the country. I was paying almost £2k a year until we went onto a water meter last year, now paying about £80pcm.

My parents for context pay 1700 a year in the south west.

Used to pay £1600 on rates in the south west. Over halved on a meter!

Yes, we are talking South West - mid-Devon to be precise. Yes, it includes wastewater.

14 showers - each of us have one every morning, and OH likes a nice relaxing soak in the bath before bed a few times a week.

My sister, who lives alone, told me she pays £36/month - that’s in Yorkshire.

Why is the South West so much more expensive than elsewhere?

I’m north west and pay around £650 per year . Family of 4 in a 4 bed house with a metre.

We pay £40pm for 2 adults and 2 children (teens) so showers every day for everyone, dishwasher on daily, washing machine on 10 times a week, and I am home in the day.

4 bed detatched house for calculation of roof size and run off. We are metered. West Yorkshire area.

Family of four. All showers every day plus one bath as well. Copious quantities of washing and dishwasher use etc. Water meter £850 pa

PuzzledObserver Because we have to cover the cost of nice clean beaches for all to enjoy and the population isn't that high but someone's got to pay for it, namely those of us that live there. Time for a tourist tax!