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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 September 2011, 12:52:11

Title: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 September 2011, 12:52:11
We have just received a letter from Anglian water informing us that they are currently fitting water meters to all the houses in our area. We then have the option of switching to the water meter or staying with water rates (currently £218 per annum)

Does anyone know the cost for a unit of metered water?.....Is it the same throughout the country?........Does each unit of metered water cost less if you have the added expense of a septic tank, as we do?... :y 

At present we only pay for water not drainage. :y
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 September 2011, 13:10:47
Its about £1.40 per cubic meter of water (which is 1 metric ton or 1000 litres) plusa  standard charge of around £25-30 per month.

There would normaly be a charge for waste but as you are on a  tank then this should not apply.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Mrs Cakey on 16 September 2011, 13:29:45
We had the same, I opted out but took meter readings. When I calculated it we would have been £13 better off on the meter and we didn't water the garden once that year (and I think the car only got washed a few times as it was an old banger) ::)

Not for me thanks... I'll stick with rates :y
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 16 September 2011, 13:52:27
Stick with rates. Worst thing I ever did getting a meter .......

Thanks heavens for insurance, we had a leak on our side of the pipework. Lost 1000m3 in the space of a year. Insurance paid put thankfully.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Richie London on 16 September 2011, 14:48:02
my water is 340 a year with veola. was 160 a yr before the metre
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: albitz on 16 September 2011, 14:48:13
Imo people shouldnt have a choice tbh.Everyone should be on a meter and pay for what they use, rather than have the option of using whatever amount they want, and therefore being subsidised by those who do have meters.
Water is said to be a precious commodity these days, and theres no better way to stop waste, than to charge people for the amount they personally use. ;)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Andy B on 16 September 2011, 14:52:52
Quote
....
Water is said to be a precious commodity these days, and  .....

I suppose that depends on where you live .......... loads of the stuff up here & I suspect there's even more the further north you go.  :y :y

I'm sticking with rates, although as there are only 2 or 3 of us living in a 4 bed house, we'd be financially a little better off.  :-/
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: tunnie on 16 September 2011, 14:53:51
I was going to have a meter installed, but it can't be done without ripping out half the kitchen. So I'm on a special flat rate, I can use as much as a I want  :D
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 16 September 2011, 14:56:40
Meter and it is a big saving
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Richie London on 16 September 2011, 15:24:56
Quote
I was going to have a meter installed, but it can't be done without ripping out half the kitchen. So I'm on a special flat rate, I can use as much as a I want  :D

mine was 1.45 a week included in my rent with the council. that all changed when i moved.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: cleggy on 16 September 2011, 15:25:27
My neighbour is on rates we have a meter, and both houses are occupied by couples.
The charges are roughly the same with one big difference he uses a hosepipe on a regular basis. I actually use his hosepipe because when I used mine with the meter the cost was nearly doubled. I  used it on a sprinkler for a large vegetable plot not to wash the car I let the Kosovans valet it for a tenner :y

So it depends how much water you use, if it's a little go for a meter if not stay on water rates
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: mantahatch on 16 September 2011, 15:39:20
Quote
Imo people shouldnt have a choice tbh.Everyone should be on a meter and pay for what they use, rather than have the option of using whatever amount they want, and therefore being subsidised by those who do have meters.
Water is said to be a precious commodity these days, and theres no better way to stop waste, than to charge people for the amount they personally use. ;)


Sorry Albs I disagree. Water is a basic right to live. It is im my opinion the only utility that should not have been sold off, and should def not be run for profit. Sorry if this sounds a bit communist but we need water to live, we can all survive without gas/electric etc.

I find it somewhat disturbing charging for water, smacks off they will be charging for oxygen when they find a way to do it.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: albitz on 16 September 2011, 15:47:20
We cant have it for free.It costs a lot of money to get it to the taps.It has to be paid for.If we have to have it supplied to our houses we should each pay according to usage, just like we do for gas and electric. It cant be fair that the 80 year old widow who hardly uses any, pays the same as the family of 4,5,6 etc living next door. ;)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Andy B on 16 September 2011, 15:50:45
Quote
.... It cant be fair that the 80 year old widow who hardly uses any, pays the same as the family of 4,5,6 etc living next door. ;)

Great idea! We coud use that same idea instead of rates ........   ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 September 2011, 15:53:53
I am on a meter and it costs me about 350 a year which is about the same as the rates would be (new ish hosue so had water meter from day one but its based on ratebale value so easy to calc)

I am careful ish with water and have water butts etc but then I am of the belief that we should all be careful with water.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Andy B on 16 September 2011, 16:01:33
Quote
.... but then I am of the belief that we should all be careful with water.

Agreed, we all should be. SWMBO was one of those people who would run the tap the whole time she was brushing her teeth  :-?  :-?  :-?
I don't waste water, but there again I don't worry about using a hose to wash the car etc.
I'd never volunteer to have a meter fitted ....... it's a one way trip, you can't have it removed if you then decide it's not for you.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: RobG on 16 September 2011, 16:04:15
Quote
We cant have it for free.It costs a lot of money to get it to the taps.It has to be paid for.If we have to have it supplied to our houses we should each pay according to usage, just like we do for gas and electric. It cant be fair that the 80 year old widow who hardly uses any, pays the same as the family of 4,5,6 etc living next door. ;)
........and the companies concerned make a helluva lot more in net profit >:(
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 September 2011, 16:22:02
Quote
Quote
We cant have it for free.It costs a lot of money to get it to the taps.It has to be paid for.If we have to have it supplied to our houses we should each pay according to usage, just like we do for gas and electric. It cant be fair that the 80 year old widow who hardly uses any, pays the same as the family of 4,5,6 etc living next door. ;)


Sounds a little like the argument for the Thatcher (Poll) tax Albs.

Example . Two adults and their four adult children (all on minimum wage) living in a council house end up paying six times more than a single man living in a two hundred room castle.

The wealthy just loved the Poll Tax :D :D ;)


Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 September 2011, 16:29:52
Quote
I am on a meter and it costs me about 350 a year which is about the same as the rates would be (new ish hosue so had water meter from day one but its based on ratebale value so easy to calc)

I am careful ish with water and have water butts etc but then I am of the belief that we should all be careful with water.


I think we are probably better off sticking with water rates.

Rates £218 plus septic tank empty £70 ..........total £288. For as much water as we like. :y

We could probably get away with emptying the tank every two years......but I have absolutely no desire to see how full it is... ;)
 
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: r1 on 16 September 2011, 16:37:10
all depends on your useage.if you single and out all day then a meter is best.if you have a family then rates.martin lewis says if there are more people in your house than bedrooms rates are best.also once you have a meter you cant change back.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: albitz on 16 September 2011, 17:21:12
Quote
Quote
Quote
We cant have it for free.It costs a lot of money to get it to the taps.It has to be paid for.If we have to have it supplied to our houses we should each pay according to usage, just like we do for gas and electric. It cant be fair that the 80 year old widow who hardly uses any, pays the same as the family of 4,5,6 etc living next door. ;)


Sounds a little like the argument for the Thatcher (Poll) tax Albs.

Example . Two adults and their four adult children (all on minimum wage) living in a council house end up paying six times more than a single man living in a two hundred room castle.The wealthy just loved the Poll Tax :D :D ;)



That was never the plan, just the headlines in the papers. ;)
I would much rather have the poll tax reintroduced than the ludicrously expensive shambles we now have - the council tax.
It has been a licence for councils to print money, and they have printed it like its going out of fashion. >:(

Getting back to water - I dont see how anyone can try to justify paying a flat amount to use how ever much they feel like using. Simple logic dictates that it will be subsidised by someone else. ::)
Ive always been a believer in paying my own way in the world.
It may also come as a surprise that I tend to agree that water should never have been privatised.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 September 2011, 17:21:59
Quote
all depends on your useage.if you single and out all day then a meter is best.if you have a family then rates.martin lewis says if there are more people in your house than bedrooms rates are best.also once you have a meter you cant change back.


Something to carefully consider.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Varche on 16 September 2011, 17:58:25
Oh to be in Britain! You have oodles and oodles of water and yet still have shortages. There should have been a mega national grid ipeline built. Not a chance now.  I too believe that UK water should never have been privatised. My aunt lives on her own, never flushes the loo except for brown. Washes pots only once a day all because she is on a meter. Your water is ridiclously expensive.

In Spain the cu m charge seems to be about the same as quoted above for Britain but no standing charge. Everyone is metered and heavy users get penalised by a small % increase on use over something like 600 litres a household per day.

Our drinking water bill per half year is around 30 UK pounds. It is a precious commodity but everyone gets water. We haven't even had any rain for maybe four months either. Just where the costs are trumped up by your water companies is totally beyond me. fat cats in ivory towers?
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 September 2011, 18:06:02
Quote
Quote
I am on a meter and it costs me about 350 a year which is about the same as the rates would be (new ish hosue so had water meter from day one but its based on ratebale value so easy to calc)

I am careful ish with water and have water butts etc but then I am of the belief that we should all be careful with water.


I think we are probably better off sticking with water rates.

Rates £218 plus septic tank empty £70 ..........total £288. For as much water as we like. :y

We could probably get away with emptying the tank every two years......but I have absolutely no desire to see how full it is... ;)
 

Lol, do consider I have two kids.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: STMO123 on 16 September 2011, 19:02:50
My neighbour has a water meter, I do not. In the summer, I p!ss him off by going out and leaving my sprinkler going in the garden.
If he really upsets me I'm going to leave it on while I go on holiday next year. :)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: belldarr on 16 September 2011, 19:12:52
Dont have the meter fitted - your water bill will probably double!

Darren

Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 September 2011, 19:17:17
Quote
My neighbour has a water meter, I do not. In the summer, I p!ss him off by going out and leaving my sprinkler going in the garden.
If he really upsets me I'm going to leave it on while I go on holiday next year. :)



Seems to me that water meters are cheaper provided you don't take a bath, don't flush after a piss.......and don't wash your car or fill your pond or........ :)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 September 2011, 19:45:13
Well the kids have the occasional bath, we have a monster power shower, I top the pond up, I wash the cars and I do water the garden.

So, unless your REALY silly it can be much the same (unless your ina  small house I guess!)

I personaly think EVERYBODY should have them.

Do also beware that if you use a sprinkler (which is classed as an auto watering device) or have a pool or hot tub (classed as a large bath) then your provider can install a meter and force you to be billed via the meter.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: STMO123 on 16 September 2011, 19:51:00
Quote
Well the kids have the occasional bath, we have a monster power shower, I top the pond up, I wash the cars and I do water the garden.

So, unless your REALY silly it can be much the same (unless your ina  small house I guess!)

I personaly think EVERYBODY should have them.

Do also beware that if you use a sprinkler (which is classed as an auto watering device) or have a pool or hot tub (classed as a large bath) then your provider can install a meter and force you to be billed via the meter.

Nah. In Yorkshire we've got water coming out of our ears. I have heard we may start exporting it to, say, Notts and charging them for it.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: aaronjb on 16 September 2011, 19:54:17
Quote
Oh to be in Britain! You have oodles and oodles of water and yet still have shortages. There should have been a mega national grid ipeline built. Not a chance now.  I too believe that UK water should never have been privatised. My aunt lives on her own, never flushes the loo except for brown. Washes pots only once a day all because she is on a meter. Your water is ridiclously expensive.

In Spain the cu m charge seems to be about the same as quoted above for Britain but no standing charge. Everyone is metered and heavy users get penalised by a small % increase on use over something like 600 litres a household per day.

Our drinking water bill per half year is around 30 UK pounds. It is a precious commodity but everyone gets water. We haven't even had any rain for maybe four months either. Just where the costs are trumped up by your water companies is totally beyond me. fat cats in ivory towers?

If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 September 2011, 19:55:00
Nah, we dont need your northern water, we already nick it from the sheep shaggers in Derbyshire
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: RobG on 16 September 2011, 19:58:10
Quote
Quote
Well the kids have the occasional bath, we have a monster power shower, I top the pond up, I wash the cars and I do water the garden.

So, unless your REALY silly it can be much the same (unless your ina  small house I guess!)

I personaly think EVERYBODY should have them.

Do also beware that if you use a sprinkler (which is classed as an auto watering device) or have a pool or hot tub (classed as a large bath) then your provider can install a meter and force you to be billed via the meter.

Nah. In Yorkshire we've got water coming out of our ears. I have heard we may start exporting it to, say, Notts and charging them for it.
That`s because you`ve got a big void to fill between them ;D
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Tony H on 17 September 2011, 13:29:48
Quote
My neighbour has a water meter, I do not. In the summer, I p!ss him off by going out and leaving my sprinkler going in the garden.
If he really upsets me I'm going to leave it on while I go on holiday next year. :)

If you did that and I was your neighbour I would be straight over the fence and taking a branch off your hose to  water my lawn! :)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Mrs Cakey on 17 September 2011, 13:34:28
Quote
Quote
My neighbour has a water meter, I do not. In the summer, I p!ss him off by going out and leaving my sprinkler going in the garden.
If he really upsets me I'm going to leave it on while I go on holiday next year. :)

If you did that and I was your neighbour I would be straight over the fence and taking a branch off your hose to  water my lawn! :)

Fixed that for you :y :y ;D ;D
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 17 September 2011, 13:43:39
I was paying £340/year for water rates......so i complained to Thames Water and asked for a meter to be fitted.....They did a site survey....and decided it was uneconomical for them to fit one to my property. So they adjusted my bill to £170/year.....im pleased with that  :y

Esp as I use quite a lot of water for my veg patch (about 20ft away on council land, is a line of very large  trees, and unless it rains every day the trees soak up the water leaving my veg patch bone dry)
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: albitz on 17 September 2011, 13:44:11
I would just put the hose through his letter box and leave it there until he came back. ;D
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: lastmadrich on 18 September 2011, 09:57:18
As working on sites for half my life imo if it just you wife and dog there are benfits for a meter but as said if you have a family rates are the way to go as for us I'd be bankrupt in a month on meter 4 baths a night at 80lts god knows how many toilet flushes at 5lts a time then there the 3 or 4 loads in washer that's just for starters hope this helps  :D
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: STMO123 on 18 September 2011, 11:37:50
Quote
As working on sites for half my life imo if it just you wife and dog there are benfits for a meter but as said if you have a family rates are the way to go as for us I'd be bankrupt in a month on meter 4 baths a night at 80lts god knows how many toilet flushes at 5lts a time then there the 3 or 4 loads in washer that's just for starters hope this helps  :D

The fuel costs for that would bankrupt me.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: pscocoa on 18 September 2011, 11:49:25
Quote
My neighbour has a water meter, I do not. In the summer, I p!ss him off by going out and leaving my sprinkler going in the garden.
If he really upsets me I'm going to leave it on while I go on holiday next year. :)

If you fit an irrigation system you can leave it on while you are away  - I don't water the lawns but I do have all the borders, pots, planters, hanging baskets covered - doesn't use much if system set correctly ... No meter of course for me until they catch up with me but then just 2 of us now as kids flown the nest years ago.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: lastmadrich on 18 September 2011, 13:09:33
Lol stm yea our kids won't sleep unless they bathed we fitted a wood burning stove couple of years back to help with fuel cost glad we did at latest energy increase prices and all because the energy company's got profit hungery and didn't invest in sustainablety of country's energy needs make us pay more to use less I.e maintain profit margin and keep demand down lol don't get me started on that subject  :y
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: redelitev6 on 18 September 2011, 19:10:04
 >:( Just waiting for the time when meters are compulsory, 6 of us in the house so you can imagine the bath/shower/wc water usage, not to mention car washes, garden watering etc , ironic thing is we have Keilder water just up the road which was specially made for the now non-existant local steel industry.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: freecall666 on 18 September 2011, 20:40:55
our bill is £29 a month, and we have a meter.
Title: Re: Water meter or water rates?
Post by: aaronjb on 18 September 2011, 22:41:40
According to my bill I used 31 cubic metres of water in the six months up to July, so that's a whole £30 worth..

Of course the standing charge, waste water charge (also charged at 31 cubic metres!) and waste water standing charge add another £52.. Roughly £13 a month all told. Hardly breaking the bank for me.