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Permalink Reply by Richard on January 12, 2021 at 23:45

Hi Patricia.

I eventually had a water meter installed after going back and forth between the estate office and the COL as to whether we were allowed. I actually have two meters, one under the sink for the fresh water and one in the cupboard in the hall for waste water. The fitter actually had trouble fitting the one in the hall cupboard as the pipes were so old and the water meter pipes were metric, but he eventually managed it.

I started off paying £18 per month but after six months when they checked the readings, they said I had used more water than expected and they put the payment up to £28 per month. That's not much less than a standard bill, and I am a single occupant. I did cut my usage and after the next six months they reduced it to £22. I have cut my usage more since then so I am hoping my payments will be reduced even more at the next six month review.

It still seems expensive though, I know people who have meters who have three bedroom houses and use hose pipes to water their gardens but still pay less than me.

They do offer a single occupancy discount but that is only if you can not have a meter installed either because there is no room or if your landlord wont allow it. I kind of wish the COL hadn't allowed it now so I could have just had the discount at a fixed price. It's not that I like wasting water, but I feel I am constantly watching my usage just to keep the cost down.

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