Cut your water bills

The Basics:
The choice is simple. Either fit a water meter or stick to the old style bills. While the gas and electricity markets are staggeringly complex with masses of companies battling for customers, the water industry is still quite simple. Though England and Wales have seen privatisation, the markets are not yet open to competition - and Scotland and Northern Ireland still have publicly owned water companies.

There are two ways to pay and choosing the correct one is what allows you to save. The traditional method is a bill that depends on the rateable value of your home, regardless of how much water you use. It’s staggering that even though rates were abolished in 1990 and we’ve since had both the poll tax and council tax for local taxation - water bills still depend on rates. This roughly means the more your home can be rented out for, the more you’ll pay.

However the less common alternative is a meter which measures water usage. Companies I’ve exposed as being too costly in the past have often accused me of talking a load of excrement, in this case it’s true, the meters don’t only measure water consumption - as what comes in usually goes out, they also calculate your sewerage bill. Water companies must fit meters free of charge upon request unless it’s justifiably impractical. Use large amounts of water for non-necessities such as swimming pools, ultra power showers or sprinklers and a meter will be fitted automatically. If you switch to a water meter you have a right to switch back within 12 months or a month of getting your second measured bill, whichever is later. However, if you move into a home which already has a meter, you can’t switch back.

Choosing what to do:
The decision about whether fitting a meter will save you money depends on which water company’s area you’re in and your usage. Those with access to the internet can use www.buy.co.uk which quickly calculates whether a meter will cut your bills in most areas of England and Wales. It questions how often you use the washing machine and dishwasher and the number of showers and baths taken weekly by your household - often more than you think, four people showering daily is 28 showers a week.

For those without internet access, as a very rough rule of thumb if there are the same number or less people living in your house than there are bedrooms then check out fitting a meter. To do this contact your water company which should provide you with a water use calculator. If the savings looks to be minimal stick with your current bill as this at least gives you surety of knowing exactly what you will pay regardless of usage.

How much can you save:
For many people switching to a water meter will stop cash draining away. Take the example of a four bedroom home, with a current bill of £360 a year, with residents who shower more than bath. With five residents in the United Utilities area (North West water as was) you’re better off with the standard bill, however in the Thames Water area you’d save £65 a year switching. With just two people in the house you’d save £149 a year by fitting a meter in the United Utilites' area, £188 in Northumbrian Water’s area or £204 in the Thames area.