Water Bill Has Risen By £20

[Quenched]

Ok I live in Cornwall and my water supplier is South West Water, but this month they have increased my monthly payments by £20.

 

I have mention that 10 years ago I inquired about installing a water meter to save money as everyone was raving that having a water meter saves money. 

 

But after the engineer came out he said a water meter couldn't be installed on my property as I share my water with my next door neighbour, and they call it a party line. 

 

So South West Water agreed to put us on a special monthly payment of £42 a month based on house size and occupancy.

 

But this month they just took £62.58.

 

My question is should I contest this as such a large increase seems unfair when a water meter or anyway of regulation is impossible. 

 

We don't even have a bath or garden, so water consumption is incredibly small, and doesn't warrant paying over 60 pounds a month for. 

 

What should I do? 

[DDIL]

Did they inform you that there was a price increase?

Everyone water costs in England appears to be rising.

Complain if you want.

[newmodarmy]

https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/your-bill-explained

Yours seems to have gone up by more than the average 28% figure but it may be that it won't settle down until next month . They'll have sent you a future Dd payments showing  monthly DDs for the new financial year. Read that.

You're on an assessed charge. It'll be less than the 'rateable value charge. It's likely to be more than a metered charge if you are careful with water but we can't say for sure.

[barry1010]

From newmodarmy's link

"For unmetered customers

Yes, your bill will increase this year. On average, bills will go up £13.50 per month for water services and £13.50 per month for sewerage services"

[theshedman]

We are with South West Water too.  We were paying over £110 a month more than 10 years ago until they switched us to a meter, now we only pay around that figure for 3 months.  Why can't they fit you both with meters.  Things may have changed since the initial assessment so may be worth asking again.

[barry1010]

It seems there is only one pipe supplying both houses, in the same way one pipe supplies every tap in my house.

I expect if Quenched turns the water off at the stopcock, the neighbour has no water 

[davebro3]

I think you could get the supply split so you each have a dedicated supply which could then be metered. You (and your neighbour if they agree) would probably have to arrange and pay for the plumbing work.

[douglas9401]

Not an unusual situation, it's called the chief executive and board levy.

Shameless grasping nomarks.

[barry1010]

Here is the form to apply to have the shared water supply separated

https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/siteassets/documents/developer/replacement-water-connections/application-for-new-or-replacement-water-connections-form.pdf

It might be worthwhile, depending on cost.

 

[Old_Geezer]

No real advice for you, but ...

 

You are on a party line for water ? Surely the pipe has to split so some water goes to your taps and the rest to your neighbour's taps. Why can't any meter(s) be installed after the split ?  Sounds like an excuse to me (not that I approve of meters for water anyway; sufficient water use is vital hygiene for both the property and for other neighbours in the area).

[Old_Geezer]

PS another vital resource that should be in public ownership.

[barry1010]

OG, I've explained how it works. It used to be very common in terraced houses. The houses share the same stop cock, there is only one pipe coming from the mains.

Read my post at 06:32 or read this link

https://www.pipelineservices.co.uk/common-water-supply-replacement/

[Old_Geezer]

I'm sure they could split the pipe while installing a meter.

[Quenched]

theshedman, 

I will enquire about that again, but when the engineer came here about 10 years ago he said its not possible to install a meter on a shared supply with my neighbour, which they call a party line. 

 

So basically South West water put me on a rate based on house size and occupancy, so they charged me £42 a month.

 

Can you believe I'm in the queue now as the 17th in the queue. 

[ladybirder]

£17.40 monthly with Southern Water.  Can't grumble about that.

[newmodarmy]

Let's knowhow younger on. The increase is painful but it's happening all over the country and you have been hit less than other nonmeteted customers . The investment is long overdue.

The best you can hope for is that they can split the supply and fit a meter.... but it will still be nearer to £62 than £42.

[newmodarmy]

... how you get on...

[Quenched]

newmodarmy, 

So basically South West water said its risen by £20 a month, but its out of their hands, its what the government has done.

 

They offered to spread the cost thinner over 11 months instead of 9 months, but its not much point. 

 

So have Labour to thank for this. 

 

Thats a £5 a week increase in water rates which is quite shocking really. 

[barry1010]

Did you ask about getting your own water pipe and meter?

[DDIL]

The Government has withdrawn their contribution to water bills I believe.

 

[Quenched]

barry1010, 

I did mention about having my own supply and meter, but they said the outlay cost of digging up the ground and installing a new pipe would cost a lot of money, he didn't say how much but I reckon a couple of grand. Plus it would now disrupt my new kitchen as the kitchen floor etc would need to be dug up to tie in with the current pipe, or that's what he said anyway. 

In fact I remember the engineer telling me all this 10 years ago, hence why I haven't had it done.