Water meter bills - different tariffs

[condor]

A few weeks ago I had a card put through my letterbox that said Anglian water had replaced my water meter. Fair enough, was probably 15 years old and in need of replacement.
Yesterday I got a letter from them saying they were going to increase by monthly DD payments by 20%. I rang them and questioned the 20% increase as I hadn't seen that high an increase in water bills reported in the media.

An interesting conversation - apparantly there is a 'solo' tariff (for people that live alone) that I should be on. I wasn't aware that there were different tariffs - I thought the purpose of the water meter was so you only paid for what you used. The outcome is my payments are staying at my current rate and will likely be reduced in 6 months time. The reasoning is that I'm currently £30 in arrears but on the 'solo tariff' that will be taken care of.

Thought it would be good to mention it here so other people could question their water supplier if they could be on a more beneficial tariff.

[Mr GrimNasty]

It's not solo, as in alone, but as in LOW volume user. They drop the standing charge but charge more per cubic meter. You could end up paying more than you need to if you're not careful.

[condor]

Thanks for that - I must have misheard him...but it sounded like solo to me.
Low user tariff makes far more sense. I'm away quite often so am a low user.
I'll just have to watch what my 6 monthly statement says.

[Simpo Two]

condor said:

Thanks for that - I must have misheard him...but it sounded like solo to me.

Possibly some trendy marketing name like 'So-Low' tariff. I mean, they need some way to get their mugshots in the trade press.


Bloody tariffs. I think they're invented by the same kind of people who invent pension plans.