Discussion
We've just moved into a small 2 bedroomed flat. Located in Devon, it means we are getting ripped off by south west water. Apparently, the charges are the most expensive in the country, because "we have a lot of coastline to look after". I suppose they've not heard of Scotland then?
Anyway, we checked the property, and our easily accessible stop cock turns off every tap in our place, and doesn't affect the neighbours. There is no header tank. There is also a reasonable route down the stairs to install the "biscuit" thingy that they read the meter with.
Our first contact with SWW, had the girl telling us "you can't have meter, pay the bill, and use as much as you want"
When we told her we can, she agreed to send out the forms. The forms arrived, and I filled them out a month ago. Since then, nobody has visited, or contacted us. This morning, we get a letter stating "as we are unable to install a meter" etc etc, we will reduce your bill from £600 a year, to £540.
Does anyone have any idea where we stand on this?
For different reasons, I won't bore you with, we don't use a lot of water, and are certain we stand to make a considerable saving by using a meter.
SWW seem to have to attitude, that they will fight tooth and nail to prevent us from getting one?
Anyway, we checked the property, and our easily accessible stop cock turns off every tap in our place, and doesn't affect the neighbours. There is no header tank. There is also a reasonable route down the stairs to install the "biscuit" thingy that they read the meter with.
Our first contact with SWW, had the girl telling us "you can't have meter, pay the bill, and use as much as you want"
When we told her we can, she agreed to send out the forms. The forms arrived, and I filled them out a month ago. Since then, nobody has visited, or contacted us. This morning, we get a letter stating "as we are unable to install a meter" etc etc, we will reduce your bill from £600 a year, to £540.Does anyone have any idea where we stand on this?
For different reasons, I won't bore you with, we don't use a lot of water, and are certain we stand to make a considerable saving by using a meter.
SWW seem to have to attitude, that they will fight tooth and nail to prevent us from getting one?
Simpo Two said:
I thought Government policy was to get everyone on water meters? Keep trying.
I'm sure it will be one day.We are getting conflicting information about our rights. They can definitely fit a meter, but are choosing not to. One wonders why. I suspect, it is because they know it will halve my bill.
Agreed. My water company introduced the option of meters over 10 years ago, and even though I had to pay for it to be fitted it's saved me thousands.
Might be worth getting them on the 'environmental' angle - their blatant disinterest in encouraging consumers to save precious resources wouldn't look good on local TV...
Might be worth getting them on the 'environmental' angle - their blatant disinterest in encouraging consumers to save precious resources wouldn't look good on local TV...
philthy said:
I tell you what Simpo, I'm not going to let this rest. I'm not sure I'd have the venom to try and get the local news interested, but they are not going to hear the end of it until I'm satisfied.
Attaboy. You don't have to ring up the media, just intimate it in your letter. The MD will briefly contemplate going in front of the cameras to be grilled by a reporter (greed vs the environment), and then they will agree a meter 
Your request is not only utterly fair and reasonable, it's 'on message'.GreenDog said:
Yes it is.Bookmarked, and thanks !
All water companies are expected to fit new meters when the occupants change - unless for whatever reason a meter cannot be fitted. If they can fit a meter, they should - and most are very pushy on that front. I used to work for Metering Services at a well known water company, and the issue I generally saw was people who didn't want to have one fitted. Given most domestic meters are read once a year but billed twice (with the second bill being a hellishly innaccurate estimate 70-80% of the time) I don't blame people for wanting to stick to a steady, rateable value based bill.
Is your stopcock fitted outside the house or inside? If its accessible and exterior I can't see a good reason why they wouldn't be able to fit you one though, unless your supply goes on to supply someone else as well - which from what you've already said sounds unlikely.
In your case I'd send in a written complaint. They have to respond within a set time period (I believe its a week) or they have to pay you something like £20. That may have changed in the 3 years since I left the industry, but I doubt it - OFWAT are gunning for water companies to improve and have been for some time. Continue to correspond by post (preferably recorded delivery) and if you don't get a response within two weeks go to OFWAT. It may be theres a genuine reason why they can't fit a meter (however unlikely) but if thats the case they should be telling you what it is. If theres no reason they should get a meter fitted within a couple of weeks.
Is your stopcock fitted outside the house or inside? If its accessible and exterior I can't see a good reason why they wouldn't be able to fit you one though, unless your supply goes on to supply someone else as well - which from what you've already said sounds unlikely.
In your case I'd send in a written complaint. They have to respond within a set time period (I believe its a week) or they have to pay you something like £20. That may have changed in the 3 years since I left the industry, but I doubt it - OFWAT are gunning for water companies to improve and have been for some time. Continue to correspond by post (preferably recorded delivery) and if you don't get a response within two weeks go to OFWAT. It may be theres a genuine reason why they can't fit a meter (however unlikely) but if thats the case they should be telling you what it is. If theres no reason they should get a meter fitted within a couple of weeks.
Edited by tenohfive on Sunday 31st May 17:58
Edited by tenohfive on Sunday 31st May 17:59
saleen836 said:
As a side note for those thinking of having a meter fitted to see if it lowers their bills, you can also have it removed and go back to the 'rates' payment within 12 months if you feel your worse off.
Though not if the meter was installed due to a change of occupier.Edited by tenohfive on Sunday 7th June 12:08
tenohfive said:
saleen836 said:
As a side note for those thinking of having a meter fitted to see if it lowers their bills, you can also have it removed and go back to the 'rates' payment within 12 months if you feel your worse off.
Though not if the meter was installed due to a change of occupier.MiniMan64 said:
Just moved into a flat in PLymouth with SWW and our first water bill has been monstrous so we've applied for a meter.
Will let you know how we get on!
Welcome to South west water charges Will let you know how we get on!
An update:
Having had a plumber round to check, he has confirmed that a meter can be fitted, although it may not fit in the little cubbyhole the stop cock is in.
If that is the case, he told me to tell the surveyor who is calling on Monday, to fit it outside the cubbyhole.
I am just waiting for him to try and fob me off, and tell me it's impossible. In which case, I will tell him to supply a meter, and I'll get it fitted, thus proving it is possible.
South East Water aren't much better organised than their South West colleagues. I was just checking back through emails and found one from February where they replied to my request for a meter to be installed said someone from their "technical department" would contact me by end of April to arrange a survey.
Of course no contact has been made yet.........
I was ready to go on a meter in February so I guess they'll be refunding me any "overpayment" that I've made on the rates system compared with what I used on the meter (if it is finally installed at some point.................
Won't they??
Of course no contact has been made yet.........
I was ready to go on a meter in February so I guess they'll be refunding me any "overpayment" that I've made on the rates system compared with what I used on the meter (if it is finally installed at some point.................
Won't they??
A little tip for you all as well - you'll probably find that your bill includes an element for 'run-off' water whereby they charge you for water that runs off your property into the 'public' sewers eg. at the roadside. As I live in a flat and my private parking has its own drain system, there is no 'run-off' from the building into the road. This got me a reduction in my bill as it is shown on the property plans that the premises disposes of its water into a proper drain within the car park.
It's a small thing, but you're automatically charged unless you choose to query it. VERY sneaky. It didn't save much, but I'd rather have that money in my pocket than in Southern Water's when they aren't owed it!
It's a small thing, but you're automatically charged unless you choose to query it. VERY sneaky. It didn't save much, but I'd rather have that money in my pocket than in Southern Water's when they aren't owed it!
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