Nigel,

You must revert back to your normal billing before 13 months expiry not after, once 13 months has passed you are stuck with it.

Hi Ken, I have fitted a water meter and it has saved me money, also I know a few others that have had them fitted and they have all saved. Remember that once you have had one fitted you can go back to normal type of billing after 13 months if you find out you don't save.

Jules,

It wouldn't matter if there was a leak on the supply pipe as this could not register, as I said my meter is inside.

I have just had my new bill in, and they are estimating (based on current readings) that my charges will be £313 for the year. Ony £140 of that is based on actual water used - the rest is on wastewater charges ie standing charge, sewerage,surface water.

Does this seem in line with other people's waste water charges?

Herb,

Thanks for that, I can't be suffering with  a leak or paying for neighbours water, I had the meter moved to indoors in the kitchen eighteen months ago, if I had a leak I would know because it would have to be indoors.

Steak - I have just had my latest water bill today 28th Jan 2010 from a reading taken 25th Jan 2010 (who says Postman Pat is slow?) & my estimated charges for the next 12 months is £178.35 so my direct debit has gone DOWN to £14.50 per month. My total water used is 17 cubic metres over 192 days, so you are definitely being over charged, have a leak or are paying for your neighbours on both sides.

Steak,

         I'm due my new bill in April 2010 but my last bill in April 2009 was from having the meter installed 12.11.08 to it being read on 8.04.2009.......a total of 140 days and the meter reading was 44 cubic meters. HTH

Blobster,

Hope you don't mind me asking but could you tell me how many units of water you have used in the last six months according to your bill.

Family of 3 here that 18 months ago were paying nearly £60 per month..........on a meter now and that's costing us just £26.50 per month. Allowing for the fact that I would have had at least 1 rise in my bills from UU in the last 18 months I reckon the meter approach is saving us close on £40 per month......without any change in our water usage. For me its a no brainer.....get yourself on a water meter!

So if a brick doesn't fit, get a chisel and hammer, and hit it until it does.

 

All you're doing is reducing the volume.  You could chuck anything in there that isn't water-soluble.  Even a bag of sand would do it.

Herb,

Yes that is what I applied for 2 years ago but my request was just ignored, I have applied again so I will see what happens this time. 

I agree, a brick won't fit, but UU supplied me with a blue plastic bag full of something shaped like a small pillow measuring 6ins x 3ins x 3ins that just stays on the bottom of the cistern & therefore saves that amount of water in every flush. Maybe that was what they supplied in 2005 when I changed over. My water bills have been less than half since. I estimate that my non-meter water bill would be £440 this year but I am paying £190 this year. Mind you I am expecting a new bill any day now but I don't expect it to go to double what I am now paying.

Tom,

Sorry a brick won't fit.

Dogsbody,

I have had my meter changed and it has made no difference, also I have had the meter moved to inside so I can be sure it is not because of any underground leaks. There is only the 2 of us and we use the washer 3 times per week on average, we have a dishwasher which is used approx 3 tmes per week, we don't wash the cars or water the garden we shower rather than use the bath so I dont know where we economise. I did contact UU asking for the block for the toilet cistern which is supposed to save water but they never even got back to me.

Steak - that seems a lot to pay for just two of you.  Perhaps have your meter checked.

For those people contemplating going on to a water meter, remember you have 12 months

to try one out and assess the savings.  After 12 months you can either stay on it and pay for the water you use, or go back on to your previous method.  

 

I have been on a water meter now for 4 years and my water bill halved - but I live alone

and that does make a difference.

Brian2,

Can we swop water meters, I will pay you £200.00 and pay for the work to be done.

PamJ,

There are only two old fogies in our house, we do not consider ourselves to be extravagant with water but we are paying between £550/650 per year on a meter. With a family I would say keep clear of a meter as long as you can.

Can anyone who has a water meter please advise me as whether we should switch to one? We are a family of 5 and I believe we are now going to be charged £60 per month (x 10 months) for our water.

Thanks any advise would be great.