Water Bill

A question about : Water Bill

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for any responses.

Our water bill has gone up significantly since April this year - we're on a water meter. The direct debit is now Ј47.33 a month. There are only 2 of us - but we are both at home all day.

Our usage from 4th Apr - 17th Sept was 64 cubic meters and the bill was Ј250.

Does this usage sound too much or about right given we're at home all day? I don't use water to wash the car or water the garden and we don't have a pool or anything crazy like that.

We shower probably ever day, perhaps a bath once a week. Washing machine, dishwasher (put both on probably every day on eco).

Thanks.

Best answers:

• The average is about 55cum/per person and year = 110cum for a couple.
  We are at home all day and average about 65cum a year and qualify for Anglian Water's SoLo tariff which works out at about Ј5cu.m water & sewerage combined - Ј325p/a = Ј27/month
  We only shower, no baths. The dishwasher & washing machine are only used when they are full (2-3 times a week each)- a half load uses as much water as a full one.
  Both toilets are low-flush and all the taps & shower have flow restrictors which reduces the volume of water to about 5-7 litres a minute.
  How long do you stand in the shower? - one on full blast for 10 minutes can easily get through 100-150litres of water. Ours for 5 minutes or less at 7lpm = 30-35litres.
  The kettle is only filled with enough water to make the tea/coffee.
  We do wash the cars and caravan several times a year using a hosepipe with a trigger nozzle and have an automatic watering system for the garden which is on from about May to September.
  My wife isn't very water savvy so taps are on full blast to rinse yoghurt pots/cups etc, so flow restrictors on the taps do save a bit there. Pots & pans are washed in the sink rather than in the dishwasher.
  Don't wash hands under running water unless you turn the tap right down.
  Flow restrictors and other water saving tips are available from your water company - frequently for free.
  We aren't precious about saving water but we don't waste it either.
• Yes, I think that is a lot of water to use.
  We use less than 35 cubic metres a year!
  There are 2 of us and we are at home all day. We use the washing machine probably twice a week and the dishwasher on Eco about 5 times a week. We only have showers. We have a water butt for garden and car washing.
  If we want hot water in the kitchen sink, we always run the cold water that comes out the tap first into a jug to use later for say washing vegetables etc. Generally speaking if I have a 'wee' then my husband will also have one and so we only flush once.
  We never just let the water run away down the plug.
  Have you checked for leaks?
• We're not too much over the 110cum for a year I guess. Guess we'll try some water saving measures. Just making sure we're not using stupid amounts and therefore likely have a leak somewhere or something. Thanks.
• There is usually a leak detector on the meter...but to figure out how to use it you would have to google the type of meter you have.
• I have a water meter and my bill was 48 quid for six months to July, with usage at 4 cubic meters..... I am often away.
• Breakdown of that Ј250 bill:
  Surface water / highway drainage 166 days at Ј79 a year: Ј35.93
  Water standing charge 166 days at Ј39 a year: Ј16.37
  Wastewater standing charge 166 days at Ј19 a year: Ј8.64
  Water 64 cubic meters at Ј1.635 each: Ј104.64
  Sewerage 64 cubic meters at Ј1.331 each Ј85.18
  United Utilities
  How are you paying Ј48 for 6 months for 231 cubic meters? Our surface water and standing charges are more than that.
• Sometimes the leak comes from your cistern when the Flush Valve Seal or Washer is perished this can cause a slow and steady leak or drip into the Pan and its sometimes hard to find and this could cost you loads on your water bill like wise you if this is not shutting properly after filling this could cost you as well. Please kindly check this two things.For more info you can go to mytoiletspares.co.uk to read more