Water meters are in news again

[Loosehead]

Several sources are claiming they are a "tax on the family" what do ABer's think?

[BigDogsWang]

Personally I think they are a good idea. We moved from a house with water 'rates' to one with a meter, and the difference in the first 6 months was staggering.

Put it this way, you have been doing it for years with your Electricity and Gas, and I've no doubt you use it sparingly.

Resevoirs are at their lowest for years, therefore we need people to conserve this most precious utility. There are a number of ways you can cut back on the amount you use, without harming your quality of life.

[sp1814]

Loosehead

Nah - not a tax on the family. In the same way that gas meters and electricty meters aren't a tax on the family.

Usual Daily Mail rubbish, dressed up as news I'm afraid. What's your take on it?

[Loosehead]

I did post my answer got lost, seeking motivation to type it again!

[Oneeyedvic]

can't see that it is unfair (unlike council tax grrr). You use more, you pay for more - not difficult is it?

[wendilla]

when everyone gets water meters and everyone is paying less for there water it wont be long before the rate on that goes up . so we will all be back to what we are paying now

[Hippy]

Definitely not a tax on anything as you are getting something for your money. Please tell me what connection there is between the Rateable Value of your property and the cost of the water and sewerage service?

Far better to pay for the service that we use and receive.

For a tax one usually gets nothing in return, that is why it is a tax and not a service payment.

I'm definitely in favour of Water Meters, and I will be head of the queue when they come in here in the awash with water no drought here because of Kielder Reservoir north-east.

[marshman]

Having lived with water meters for many years abroad,I have nothing against them in principal but I put this to you::
What do you think will happen here in Britain when we are all on water meters,all cutting down on usage and all paying SMALLER bills ?I know what I think,I think the price will rise and rise and rise to compensate for "lost"profits.

[pagey]

How can water meters be a bad thing? You pay for what you use, you are encouraged to be conservative with water.

If we adopted pay-per-mile road use, the heavy users would be disappointed as it would work out more expensive. Low low users would work out better off and it would generally be fairer.

We don't pay one-off-sums for food, petrol and other amenities. Imagine how much we might use if we did?

How anyone can claim it to be a tax on the family is beyond me.

[pagey]

'For a tax one usually gets nothing in return'

lol - what a true quote!

[PowderKeg]

The problem I have with water meters is that it seems to me to be a tax on living. You want to live? You will pay a utility company for the privilege. It's not as if the water company makes the water or grows it. I know it is possibly irrational but it is how I feel about it.

[Oneeyedvic]

Personally, the things that wind me up about water companies is the fact that they have branding adverts on tv. It costs a fortune to advertise, and unlike most other utilities, you can't shop around - you are stuck with a water supplier!

Hate Anglian Water adverts with a vengeance.

[jno]

you're paying the water company for getting the water to your taps. If you don't like it, gather your own rainwater. But perhaps a graduated scale of charges would be better, so a basic amount for drinking and showering came free or cheap, but anyone taking enough to fill a swimming pool found their bills rising steeply.