water meters..

[sara3]

I've just had my first bill since my meter was fitted, and was expecting a big saving.. but no! it says that between June-Oct I have used 51 cubic metres.

there is only myself and my daughter here full time, and my son part time (and I can't get him to wash anyway!). the (slimline) dishwasher is used every other day, the washing machine a couple of times a week, we shower (briefly) every day. I barely even use the kettle. (not because I can't afford to, I just drink cold drinks) the house is empty during the week while I'm at work.

does this seem like a big bill? could I have a water leak that I don't know about?

[gina32]

24 in 10 months as you can see i used 80 in 6 months, what water boardare you with mrs chappie? my last bill for 6 months was �233

[gina32]

half my post went missing!!

[mrs.chappie]

Hi Gina.

I'm with Yorkshire Water. I've just re-read the bill, and yes, I have used 24 cubic metres from 21 Dec 2007 to 7 Oct 2008. (Actually about 2 and a half weeks short of 10 months).

Projected usage over the next 12 months = 30 cubic metres.

We never leave taps running, and always have showers. We are conscientious about not wasting water, and it seems it pays off!

[sara3]

I do all that, too!

poop.. it's all gone horribly wrong!

[mrs.chappie]

Sara, I still think yours is wrong. Take a meter reading at the start of the day, then, making sure you have no water running, take a look at the meter at the end of the day.

The reading should be the same as it was in the morning.

[sara3]

I certainly will do that.. keep an eye out for the mad woman with a torch, peering into a hole in the pavement!

[mrs.chappie]

I know the figures the water authorities quote you for your projected usage is usually high.

They based our usage on what they said was "average usage" and charged us �21.60 per month when we first moved into this house. After a few months they read the meter and realised this figure was too high. They dropped the charge to �10 per month, and at the end of the year I got a refund of �76, which I had overpaid.

Sara, when you first got it installed, did someone come and check the meter to see if it was working properly?

[sara3]

nk, of course we don't!

mrs.c.. I never saw anyone. it was fitted while I was out, and that was that!

[sara3]

I walked straight into that one, huh?

:o/

[mrs.chappie]

Sara, I don't know if the meter was checked in the house I'm in now, because it was here when we moved in, but on Friday last, my brother had a meter fitted at his flat. I was there. The fitter told my brother someone would pay a visit in 6 to 8 weeks time, to check that the meter was working correctly.

Which Water Authority are you with?

My bro's meter was fitted inside, but if yours is outside, it's possible somebody came and checked it and you wouldn't necessarily know.

[sara3]

it's three valleys water. the bill shows an "actual" figure so they will have been around to read it. it's in the pavement outside.

[mrs.chappie]

Definitely check it sara.

BTW, have you looked at one of these?

http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=nav. 388

I've just done a calculation based on my usage, and it's coming out higher than my bills actually are, but I expect they would rather give you a high figure, than give you a low one. And it is only a rough guide, it tells you you can't use it to dispute your bill.

[theonlyone]

your bill is so much cheaper than the
south of england ..we have the cheapest
water co...there is a big divide ...

[sara3]

I did the one on the 3 Valleys site, and I seem to be using more than the average user.

I'll get onto it tomorrow.

thanks to all for their contributions :o)

[mrs.chappie]

Hey sara, hope you'll post and let us know how you get on.

[sara3]

I will.. I am more than a little curious!