General Chat

There is talk of put one of these in every home in the country and guess what they say our water bill will rise or should i say rocket by £200 a year. How on earth are peeps supposed to keep up with all these increases.

well we will be sharing the bath water..!! Barbara..xx

Meters depend on the amount of water used... Also the water used depends on how many people live at the house. I live alone and my daughter has 5 people in her home yet we have been paying the same amount per month for water rates...therefore it is better for me to get a water meet (applied for) but not for her...her bills will sore, but mine will come down. Anne :)))

We've had one for 15 years - it actually saves us money as there's only the two of us. We pay for what we use. It certainly seems fairer. AL

This house, and our previous two, were new so the water meters were compulsory (not sure if that's a general rule, or just our council though). Lots of people panicked, including us, but there was nothing we could do about it. There are three of us and our metered bills are considerably less than my parents - just the two of them - paying water rates in the next town. You might end up better off (hope so!). Mandy :)

A very good idea,maybe it will teach people to use water wisely:-))

Our area has already had the OK from the Govt. for compusory meters (Folkestone and Dover) but I haven't heard any more since the main announcement. I thought the idea of meters was being 'sold' to the public as a way of lowering bills, not increasing them. Someone is not telling the truth about costs. I'm all for people not wasting water. I've lived in a country where water was cut off for part of the day... We coped. Gwyn

I'm all for it - we don't waste water and there's only two of us so hopefully we'd be better off:))

I wouldn't want a Water Meter because although it's only the two of us, we use a lot of water in Baths - we don't have a Shower (and can't afford to get one fitted) so have to take Baths. If the Government would like to give us the money to get a Shower fitted then we would happily have a Water Meter then - don't see that happening though somehow. When we lived in North Devon we opted for a Water Meter as the rates there were sky high and we did have a Shower - it was a lot cheaper. Kaye x

We moved into a house with a water meter 2 years ago and I thought at the time that the bills would be a lot higher than our previous water rates but in fact the opposite is the case. Although there are four of us in the house and although we are careful about not wasting water we still have baths/showers every day, our water bills are almost exactly half that of our water rates. At the moment there are two groups of people who benefit from moving from rates to water meters - those with low use (eg single people/couples) and those who have large houses who would otherwise pay high rates. If we moved to compulsary metering, I suspect water bills would have to rise to compensate for the loss of money from houses with high ratable value. Sue

Before they start increasing costs to users they should put some effort into improving the quality of the water they supply us. If I don't use a water filter I end up with scum on the top of my tea. It may be 'drinkable' but it certainly isn't palatable!

Well my neighbour has just gone on to a meter and guess what he was borrowing our hose last night to water his garden !! Norah

there are five in my daugter's family, they have a water meter, their bills are very reasonable the boys are trained to conserve water. we opted to be metered three years ago and paid much less when we changed, it is definitely preferable for smaller households. but it does make you conserve water - not running the tap while cleaning teeth, not overfilling the kettle, not running the dishwasher half empty likewise the washing machine. I use the residue boiling water after making hot drinks to wash up any small things like plates, cutlery, to save putting in the dishwasher. Ann Glos

I agree with Grampa Jim - our Water is disgusting too, probably the worst in the country. We use a Water Filter for one thing because the water straight from the tap tastes vile and chalky and also because the Limescale kills the Kettle - it scales up within a week! Cleaning the Bathroom is a nightmare as the Limescale is so difficult to shift. I do try to conserve water where I can - I don't leave the tap running when I brush my teeth and I only use the Dishwasher and Washing Machine when I have full loads - in an attempt to be environmentally friendly, but the water here is actually very environmentally unfriendly as things like Kettles and Washing Machines have to work overtime to compensate. They also cost me extra money as I have to use more soap and detergent and I have to buy Water Softening Tablets for my Washing Machine and a lot of Salt for my Dish Washer! The Water companies need to look at themselves before they start pointing the finger. Kaye x

I'm a firm believer in paying for what you use. The system of charging based on rateable value irrespective of how many in the house is a joke. OK so some families will pay more - why not, if you use more? As for water quality - we are paying for it to be safe to drink, not distilled. Sorry if you live in a hard water area & get scum on your tea, but hard water is actually better for you. If you want to it to be totally free of everything, then get yourself a deionisation system. But don't ask me to pay for it. Where my mum lives in Gtr Manchester, the water reeks of chlorine. I'm sure the smell is because its softer so picks up the chlorine more easily. I'm quite happy here in Yorks having it with some limescale but chlorine-free. While we're on the subject, can someone tell me please the logic of using drinking-quality water to flush the loo?

I have always said that it is only fare that people pay for what they use, BUT water metres have been talked about since before and including the Maggie Thatcher days, but because people with young family’s on low income and the elderly may struggle with paying the same amount as the rest of us for their water previous governments have decided that water meters for every one would lead to people having to choose between keeping clean or going into debt and this could lead to more diseases in the vulnerable so they have always said that they will not allow compulsory metres, but we now have a government that could not care less so anything could happen. Roy

I'm actually due £18 refund - and have been due it every year since moving here 15 years ago. I am charged for 'removal of rainwater', but the water company doesn't remove it - it just soaks into the chalk ( or not - depending on the amount of rain). Found out about this anomolly 5 years ago. Tried to claim it back, but had to send detailed plans of the plumbing/drainage of the house!!! As it's rented, I'm not in posession of such plans. I suppose i could go to the council, but can think of better things to do with my annual leave!!! What is really annoying is that no houses in Winchester built before a certain time have rainwater taken away - and I assume the Water company are well aware of this - just like ripping people off to increase their profits! maggie

I dont really see why we shouldnt pay for water , in the very same way that we pay for electricy and gas ( pay for what we use) I have a meter and see no good reason to want to back track.I have a largish house, the house opposite has 4 children and grandma with them - why should i pay the same as them, as i would have without a meter? jess x

Maggie: We have a separate surface water drainage system and found out a few years back that we could claim a discount for not treating rainwater. There was no requirement to submit plans, though. Sounds like your water company is stone-walling to avoid paying up.

In April 2005, our annual bill based on rates was £750. A water meter was installed last August, and based on first 6 months, we reckon our annual bill will be £250 per year. Quite a saving. Having applied for a meter we have 12 months to change our minds, but can't see that happening!! Most of the charge on a water meter is based on standing charges, so a neighbour who uses twice as much water as me, won't be paying anything like double the bill