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| Author | Topic: Water Rates (Eau No!) |
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John D (Moderator) |
posted 3/12/05 4:32 PM
You may or may not have noticed that in the recent mailing from South East water, the unmetered water bills for 2005-6 have gone up by an alarming 19.25 % from last year. In the glossy newsletter the headline is " ....average increase 48p per week...." but our actual bill has gone up by 4 times that! Somehow South East Water seem to have got this through the Ofwat "watchdog" and apparently this is a 5-year agreement on increases - the majority of which is hitting in year 1 - hence this, as the media would say, "inflation busting" increase this year. No doubt some of you are well ahead of the game here and have already switched to a metered water supply - which is what we are now doing. I wondered if anyone had any experience of how moving to a meter had affected their water bill? Apparently the rules are that you have just over a year after switching to decide if you want to stay metered. Switching to, and if required, back from being metered is "free" by the way. The reasons for the increase are stated as energy costs, water company taxation rules (stealth tax?) and changes to business rates for water companies (stealth tax again?). This isn't meant to be a party-political statement! If anyone has any comments to pass on this or results of switching to being metered perhaps you could add them to the item I have opened on the Highbrook message board accessible from www.highbrook.info John Downe (Highbrook Victor Meldrew Appreciation Society) |
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Chris K (Moderator) |
posted 3/14/05 9:59 AM
Hi John Not only a have they increased your bill but Ardingly is only just over 80 percent full, Weir Wood is at about 56 pecrent. Stand by for a hose pipe ban! Chris K |
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Peter C (Moderator) |
posted 3/14/05 10:01 AM
John - Many thanks. I had registered 'increase' but without quantifying it. I have always thought a meter might be a winner, and will watch this spot with interest. Any tips on how I can convert Susan from baths to showers ? Regards, Peter. |
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Martin (Moderator) |
posted 3/14/05 10:02 AM
Hi John I would not advise anyone on these matters but the following is my experience. 20 years ago we were on the old system & paid approx £750 pa. This was with no swimming pool. On changing to a meter & paying for the pool the cost dropped to approx. £250 pa. This is still the rough cost, perhaps up to £300 now. I have not looked at the affect of the new charges. Martin |
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