Water Rates

[goodgoalie]

Although I pay one company for my main water supply and sewerage, I also have to pay a second company just for the water that comes off my gutters, which seems a very strange arrangement. Does anyone else have a similar situation?

[bhg481]

I wonder why people think that water shouldn't be paid for by volume. Having a flat charge doesn't encourage people to be careful with usage.

[EDDIE51]

For a single person or two person household a water meter is almost certainly going to be cheaper than water rates. But in a household with parents and several children the opposite is true. However it makes little difference as water meters are soon going to be compulsory.

[hc4361]

You sure about that, Eddie?

Link, please

[woofgang]

water authorities can insist on installing them now under certain circumstances
"Do I have to have a meter?
Your company can choose to install a meter at your property. However, it can only charge you using the meter if you:
• use an automatic watering device (such as a garden sprinkler);
• automatically fill a swimming pool;
• have a power shower or extra large bath;
• use a reverse osmosis water softening unit;
• are the new occupier of a property (provided it has not already sent you an unmetered bill); or
• live in a water stressed area where the Government has allowed compulsory metering as part of a plan to maintain secure water supplies."

https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/prs_lft_101117meters.pdf

the water meter or not rule of thumb is if you have got less adults in the house than bedrooms then you should save.

[EDDIE51]

HC4361 water meter calculator here
https://www.ccwater.org.uk/watermetercalculator/
Or look at Woofgang's answer and the link he posted.
As I said earlier, I was paying nearly double on water rates compared to the meter. 3 bedroom house but just me and the wife now the 5 kids have moved out.

[gingejbee]

woof's answer begins "water authorities"....they ceased existing many, many moons ago.

[ethandron]

Our evil water meter has saved us about 70% too, oh dear, how will we manage?
(I haven't changed how I use water at all, neither has he, great isn't it?:) )

[hc4361]

Thanks, Eddie. I opted to have a water meter a few years ago, I was asking about the compulsory bit. I know some people have to have them but I have read nothing about everyone being forced to switch to a meter.

[woofgang]

I know gingelbee I am old and you will have to bear with me.

[Old_Geezer]

I wonder why people think that water should be paid for by volume. Having a flat charge doesn't encourage people use the water they and their community needs for health and hygiene. It encourages less well off pensioners to be fearful of using what they should and they suffer as a result. Water is vital for all and a civilised community ensures a plentiful supply for all from pooled funds. An uncivilised one meters it and charges whatever the market will bear.

[goodgoalie]

Hi everyone, back after a day out - thanks for your responses. My main bill is with Thames Water for my mains supply and sewerage: it's metered and, as I live alone, is hugely cheaper than the flat Thames Water rates I paid for a small one-bedroom flat in London.

The second bill is from Severn Trent for 'surface water drainage', which in my case is only water from the gutters of my house - a set charge of about £32 per annum. Very strangely, when the sewage pipes were blocked with sewage waste recently in the courtyard outside, when I rang Thames Water to tell them, I was referred to Severn Trent, and it was they who came out and rodded it clear, not TW whom I pay for sewerage, and who - you would think - would be responsible for leaks, blockages etc. Explain that!

[Old_Geezer]

bhg, of course it dropped (for now) but I don't think folk should be offered a bribe to support removal of the moral way a society should provide water to it's citizens. Ultimately it just passes control to the commercial company to do what is in their own interest in the future. But some mock by boasting of their grabbing of the thirty pieces of silver as if they were proud of it.

[woofgang]

surface water is not just your roof....its pavement and highway drainage as well.

[goodgoalie]

woofgang, there's no pavement and no highway - it's just a gravelled courtyard in front of my front garden. No back garden.

[woofgang]

not just for your house but for the whole of the area that the company is responsible for!

[tamborine]

Home: Thames dd £29,54 for all, less than £1pd, with 3 water troughs for 22 livestock, poultry & wildlife. Cesspit emptying £120 every 2-3y depending on rainfall.

Work: Thames dd £31.25 for 3 basins & 2 toilets on main drains. Over £1pd - cant complain, as all taxable exes.