MSE News: Compulsory water meters to be installed in thousands of homes

A question about : MSE News: Compulsory water meters to be installed in thousands of homes

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

Some consumers could pay more for their water, others less, under Government-backed plans to combat shortages ...

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Compulsory water meters to be installed in thousands of homes

Best answers:

• Good idea, will make people think about water and not waste it
• I don't have a problem with this at all - I'd been on water meters in my last two houses in Bucks and when the first was installed, our bill reduced by 25%. Seeing how water is wasted in my new neighbourhood, I'd be absolutely up for a meter.
  However, given how long it takes for my hot water to run hot from my boiler, I might have to put up with cold water for shaving (or get a new boiler).
• But it's just water. Water never vanishes. it's still on the planet somewhere.
  Also we just pay the bill, supposedly for the clearning of the water, and also all the pipes and things.
  No one owns the water, the water is the worlds.
  It's just to make more money. How much can you actually use, i mean how much would Ј1 get you in water?.
• I asked Southern Water for a meter ages ago but they can't fit one in my property. Apparently it would need three meters to isolate the usage of my flat from others in the block.
  I asked them about assessed charging but they replied that this would cost me more than I currently pay - though some kind of single occupancy discount might help.
  Once we start talking about assessed charging though, it no longer has anything to do with conserving resources but everything to do with making more money for the water company and its shareholders.
  One of the problems around my way is that there is too much reliance on aquifers and not enough reservoirs. Aquifers tend to only get recharged in Winter when the ground is already sodden and plant roots aren't sucking it up. Sutton & East Surrey seem to be more vulnerable than most to this scenario.
  I'm happy to pay for what I use. However, as a single person in a 2 bedroom flat, with a shower that is used a lot more than the bath, a device in the toilet cistern to reduce flushing quantities, no dish washing machine and a generally good attitude to conserving resources, I suspect that even with a single occupancy discount, I will be paying for more than I actually use.
• I've just moved from a metered house to an unmetered flat in the Southern Water area and have seen my average (based on the metered bills) monthly cost for water increase by about Ј4. They have refused my application to install a water meter because I live in a flat and it's age. I'm unsure if I'll be expected to have one soon.
  I also saw my sewage increase by Thames Water despite sharing my guttering with 5 other properties now, that is very unfair in my eyes!
• I recieved one of these a few months back, first i knew of it was workmen digging up my front lawn at 8am. Was told that everyone in the area was recieving one.
  Didnt half make a mess of the front lawn, I was worried the LL was gonna moan at me
• A lot of households without big families will find their water bills going down a lot when they go onto the meter.
• I don't have a meter and I wouldn't want one. Water is one thing no-one can live without. I have 2 kids and do thing like using the washing machine at least twice a day seven days a week if not more. As many other things that water is needed for.
  Water is the one thing that should not be metered.
• I do wish this was happening in Scotland. It is sickening that water costs three times as much as gas and double the electricity and that there is zero freedom to adjust.
• We're having to pay Ј540 a year - 3 bed house, one loo, two sinks, a bath with a shower over it. The joys of living in Wales! MUST look into getting a water meter.
• South East Water customers can find out when this is happening here:
  https://www.makingeverydropcount.co.u...rch/search.php
• 4 of us live in a 2 bed tiny end terraced house. I dont want a water meter.
• Can't say it upsets me one bit - we're already on one and seeing as all new builds have to have them... why not?
  Surely it makes more sense for everyone to pay a proportional cost related to what they use, and in turn perhaps make them a tad more conscious of their usage?