am confused now whether I should continue using metered water charges or back to rateable value charges. I live on my own and realised that I wouldnt use that much water, so decided to switch to water meter 1.5 months ago. The original rateable value charges is around 200 quid pa.

However, got a bill today as follows:

I only used 6 cubic metres of water in the period 14 Oct - 30 Nov 05. I am charged over 22.65 quid in total including:

breakdown
Water - standing charges - 4.87 quid
Water - volume charges - 5.65 quid
Sewerage - standing charges - 0.25 quid
Sewerage - volume charges - 5.57 quid
Surface water - 6.31 quid

Is there something wrong with their calculation? That means I would have to pay more even I use less. Should I go back to rateable value charges then?

Are you allowed to switch back? I thought once you were metered you were stuck with it.

Originally posted by fox20thc
Are you allowed to switch back? I thought once you were metered you were stuck with it.

Yup, once on a meter, always on a meter! :o

Originally posted by Hook
Yup, once on a meter, always on a meter! :o

Whoopsy daisy! Me thinks poor Manchao should have done a bit more research before the conversion. :|

I was under the impression that when you opt for a meter you have three months to switch back... can't remember where I read that though, and it may not have been accurate.

Ooo I just found this out..

You can’t revert to rateable value based charges at a later date unless you write to us within 12 months of being charged by meter.

So if you want to change back you better do it sharpish. :D

If you move into a house that has a water meter are you stuck with it too?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that date range is approx 6 weeks?
£22.65 / 6 = £3.775

£3.775 x 52 = £196.3

So you'd be paying less (fractionally). And as soon as you start putting bricks in the cistern, not letting the tap run the whole time you brush your teeth, showering more often than bathing etc etc you'll use less water.

Originally posted by fox20thc
Ooo I just found this out..

You can’t revert to rateable value based charges at a later date unless you write to us within 12 months of being charged by meter.

So if you want to change back you better do it sharpish. :D

Wasn't aware of that, when we looked into a meter we decided it would work out more expensive so stopped looking!

I also remember reading however that all new builds have to be fitted with a water meter, due to environmental legislation or something.

I assume if you move into a house 12 months after the water meter has been fitted then you're stuck with it, but I'm not 100% sure on that!

Originally posted by Hook
Wasn't aware of that, when we looked into a meter we decided it would work out more expensive so stopped looking!

I also remember reading however that all new builds have to be fitted with a water meter, due to environmental legislation or something.

I assume if you move into a house 12 months after the water meter has been fitted then you're stuck with it, but I'm not 100% sure on that!

yes all new builds now have meters fitted. And if you move into a house full stop! with a meter you're stuck with it. yorks water (http://www.yorkshirewater.com/?OBH=995)

I did research before and from the information given by YW, there is a guide to metered water charges for ref. It tells that

1 people in household
Low usage (cubic metre) - 45
Water charges - 65 quid p.a.
Sewerage charges - 72 quid p.a.

So according to my estimation (around 4m3 per month), I can still save around 50-60 quid savings per year comparing to the rateable value at 200 quid. Even the technician who came to install the meter for me claimed that it would be much cheaper.

Can I say that it's a "misrepresentation"? I am suprised now. How come it turns out to be more or less the same, and even higher? I will try to call YW for better understanding.