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#491418 - Tue Aug 18 2009 05:49 PM Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	I have just filled in a form to request a water meter to be installed for my house and am wondering whether to post it or not. If we do not have a meter our water charged is based on the approximate value of the house, number of bedroom, bathrooms, outside taps etc. As I live in a four bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and a shower room plus two outside taps I am charged £477.03 per year which is £1.31 per day. I live alone and according to the estimate given on the website a single person might expect to pay about £35 per quarter. Actually, typing it out it seems like a no brainer. Even allowing for being more wasteful of water than some people, that is I use a dishwasher rather than washing up by hand but I don't use it daily unless I have visitors. I don't water my garden, I don't wash my car, I am paying for hose pipes and don't use them, or rarely use them. Any horror stories about water meter charges before I post it? _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491419 - Tue Aug 18 2009 05:55 PM Re: Water metering
delboy22 Prolific Registered: Tue Jun 19 2007 Posts: 1309 Loc: Dijon France via S Wales UK	I would highly recommend you go ahead with it Sue. With your water usage, or rather, LACK of water usage, you are likely to save a LOT of money! _________________________ Quiz author - Crossword author - Proud leader of 'Torrential Reign' - Terry Fords biggest fan - and part-time nice bloke
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#491420 - Tue Aug 18 2009 06:07 PM Re: Water metering
flopsymopsy Administrator Registered: Sat May 17 2008 Posts: 5470 Loc: Northampton England UK	I've had a water meter for 15 years, go for it! _________________________ The Hubble Telescope has just picked up a sound from a fraction of a second before the Big Bang. The sound was "Uh oh".
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#491421 - Tue Aug 18 2009 06:25 PM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	They don't charge for fitting one and it won't affect the resale value of the house as these days when a property changes hands they automatically fit a meter. I will post the application form tomorrow then. Even if I save a couple of hundred pounds a year it is worthwhile. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491422 - Tue Aug 18 2009 07:05 PM Re: Water metering
SilverMoonsong Moderator Registered: Sun Nov 07 1999 Posts: 3989 Loc: Durham, North Carolina USA	Our water here is metered, and my average bill is less than $15 a month (about £9) (usually closer to about $12). We have a 3 bedroom house, I don't water the lawn (haven't needed to, it's rained so much) but we do have a clothes washer, a dishwasher, and 2 showers (and two adults in the house). If it's just you, I can't imagine that you wouldn't save money! _________________________ Forum Moderator: Useful Tips & Tricks, Movies & Television, Music Cellar Senior Crossword Editor
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#491423 - Tue Aug 18 2009 07:47 PM Re: Water metering
agony Administrator Registered: Sat Mar 29 2003 Posts: 16595 Loc: Western Canada	Even if you only save 20 pounds a year, that's money you can spend on something you really are using. Unless you are a heavy user of something who has lucked into an "all you can eat" plan, metering so you only pay for what you use is almost always a good idea. At worst, it can inspire you to monitor wastage.
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#491424 - Wed Aug 19 2009 01:26 AM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Our water is expensive compared to many places as we have no rivers, mountains or anything like that. Water is mostly from rainfall which has to be stored and treated. When we run low we have to desalinate and the plant is run by oil. I think the water company likes it to rain so they are quite happy this year! _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491425 - Wed Aug 19 2009 01:55 AM Re: Water metering
Santana2002 Forum Champion Registered: Mon Apr 14 2003 Posts: 8867 Loc: France	Go for the metre, Sue! You're sure to save money! (you can spend your 'savings' on craft stuff ... as if you need any more incentive ... _________________________ It's hard to be perfect when you're human
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#491426 - Wed Aug 19 2009 02:08 AM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Perhaps I ought to powerwash the drive before the meter is fitted! _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491427 - Wed Aug 19 2009 04:20 AM Re: Water metering
triviapaul Mainstay Registered: Thu May 22 2008 Posts: 998 Loc: Delft<br>The Netherlands	Quote: Even allowing for being more wasteful of water than some people, that is I use a dishwasher rather than washing up by hand but I don't use it daily unless I have visitors. As far as I know, while dishwashers use a lot of energy, they actually use LESS water than doing it by hand (if you fill it to capacity). _________________________ They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
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#491428 - Wed Aug 19 2009 04:51 AM Re: Water metering
Professer Enthusiast Registered: Mon May 19 2008 Posts: 464 Loc: Lincoln<br>England UK ...	My water rates before going on a meter were £320 a year, I live alone and have a washer and shower. I do the dishes once a day after my main meal at night. Doing this has cut my yearly bill to £80 a huge saving. I admit one thing i was the first in my flats to have a meter now most are on a meter, you save money which is good for you Sue. _________________________ Would I do it again? of course i would darling. Freddie Mercury
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#491429 - Wed Aug 19 2009 07:37 AM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	The main reason for having put it off so long was reading 'horror stories' of people having to ration the water as the bills were so high. I hasten to add this wasn't local, it was from the UK. Yesterday I decided to check our local water company website to see what it had to say about metering and was startled to see the difference in price. The application form has been posted so hopefully I will receive a refund for the part of the hosepipe charge since it is for the year beginning 1st April. That quarters bill, charged in advance, was £161.46. About £55 was for the hosepipe and I haven't used it once. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491430 - Wed Aug 19 2009 09:17 AM Re: Water metering
Professer Enthusiast Registered: Mon May 19 2008 Posts: 464 Loc: Lincoln<br>England UK ...	Hope it works out well Sue, it has for me and my neighbours. _________________________ Would I do it again? of course i would darling. Freddie Mercury
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#491431 - Wed Aug 19 2009 01:36 PM Re: Water metering
triviapaul Mainstay Registered: Thu May 22 2008 Posts: 998 Loc: Delft<br>The Netherlands	Good luck Sue, let us know when the first bill arrives _________________________ They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
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#491432 - Wed Aug 19 2009 01:45 PM Re: Water metering
Professer Enthusiast Registered: Mon May 19 2008 Posts: 464 Loc: Lincoln<br>England UK ...	Quote: Good luck Sue, let us know when the first bill arrives Looks like TriviaPauul is offering to pay your first bill Sue,that is so kind of him LOL _________________________ Would I do it again? of course i would darling. Freddie Mercury
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#491433 - Wed Aug 19 2009 01:59 PM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	He might not be so daft if he is offering, it might be a refund! _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491434 - Wed Aug 19 2009 05:25 PM Re: Water metering
fjohn Multiloquent Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999 Posts: 2742 Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West	I'm surprised that the water consumption bill is partially dependent on the value of your home. The only way to determine if you are going to save money is to have it metered and then compare bills. Hopefully, they don't charge by the litre. _________________________ Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.
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#491435 - Wed Aug 19 2009 08:13 PM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Yes they will be charging by the litre with the meter. Quote: Customers can also benefit directly by electing to be charged by meter. Generally, if any of the following apply you might be able to reduce your water bill by paying for water on a metered basis: * You live alone * Your household does not consume much water * The occupancy levels of your property are much lower than its capacity (eg two people living in a 4 bedroom house) * Your property is regularly left empty for extended periods of time * The rateable value of your property is high Quote: The amount you pay will depend on the quantity of water you use. As of 1st April 2009 the unit cost of water is £2.33 per 1000 litres (approximately 220 gallons). In addition, all customers pay a standing charge of £5 per quarter. Charges for water are reviewed annually. I do live alone in a house with four bedrooms and a relatively high rateable value. Once you have a meter you cannot have it removed and go back to being unmetered. Edited by sue943 (Wed Aug 19 2009 08:14 PM) _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491436 - Thu Aug 20 2009 04:26 AM Re: Water metering
karlyn2 Participant Registered: Fri Jul 11 2008 Posts: 20 Loc: East Cowes Isle of Wight UK	I live in the Isle of Wight and the whole island was put on to meters about twenty years ago, we have never had any problems and at least you know you are only being charged for what you've used.
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#491437 - Thu Aug 20 2009 04:46 AM Re: Water metering
Professer Enthusiast Registered: Mon May 19 2008 Posts: 464 Loc: Lincoln<br>England UK ...	sue looking at the figures you quote you should save considerably. Do they charge for Sewerage like here as that is more then water usage charge? _________________________ Would I do it again? of course i would darling. Freddie Mercury
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#491438 - Thu Aug 20 2009 07:37 AM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	We don't pay for sewerage if we are on mains drainage, you only pay if you are not on 'mains' and need tanks emptying. I used to live somewhere like that and had to have the 'lavender lorry' round every now and again. Although we are not charged separately for sewerage, it might come out of the rates as although they are collected 'locally' some are paid to the government. The island has twelve rating bodies, the charges vary from area to area so it is possible to live on the edge of an area and have an identical property to the house next door but pay different amounts of rates. My water rates were more than my house rates, those are £459.04 this year compared to £477.03 for water. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491439 - Thu Aug 20 2009 10:10 AM Re: Water metering
denni19 Registered: Tue Sep 05 2006 Posts: 14562 Loc: Bucharest Romania	Quote: The main reason for having put it off so long was reading 'horror stories' of people having to ration the water as the bills were so high. I hasten to add this wasn't local, it was from the UK. I'll tell you our 'horror story' from Romania. After installing the water meter, the bill tripled! My family didn't want to install it, we were always against it, exactly because of other people's stories. It was our upstair neighbours that insisted and insisted and then called the guys to install it even if we didn't agree. The worst part of it is that the meter is installed outside, where the main pipe enters the building. It measures the quantity for the entire building - 2 x two bedrooms apartments - and we then have to make the calculations to split it (by number of persons in each apartment). The even 'more worst' part? As you mentioned, it cannot be undone . Good luck with yours, it sounds like a blessing. _________________________ "The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn." - David Russell
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#491440 - Tue Oct 06 2009 05:05 AM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	I have just received my first water bill since being on the meter, I guess they haven't actually read the meter as the 'reading' date was 3/9/2009 and it was installed 2/3 of September and it shows consumption as being 0. The monthly standing charge was £1.58 plus tax, so £1.63 and as they brought forward a credit of £30.64 I will be getting a refund of £29.01! The reason for the refund is that they charge a year in advance for the outside tap which can be used for a hosepipe. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#491441 - Tue Oct 06 2009 06:31 AM Re: Water metering
ren33 Moderator Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999 Posts: 12593 Loc: Kowloon Tong Hong Kong	Funny because mine came yesterday too. It is for 3 months, all water except garden which is from the well and therefore free.The bill is for 300 HK which is about 20 pounds. Not bad I guess, considering our weather which requires at least two showers a day. Edited to say that is metered. Edited by ren33 (Tue Oct 06 2009 06:32 AM) _________________________ Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.
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#491442 - Thu Jan 07 2010 03:44 PM Re: Water metering
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	I have just received my bill for the past three months, it was under £20. I have to say that I have been very careful, probably too careful, putting a jug under my kitchen tap to catch the few drips which fall after turning the tap off for instance. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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