The Isle of Wight was a trial area some years ago and we all got meters. The downside is that they charge for whatever you use AND for disposal of it as waste water even when you watered the garden!
We get free water, we have our own spring, collection tank and septic tank. Do have to pay for that to be emptied.
It doesn't matter whether we use the water or not, it all ends up running down the stream into the boggy 'wilderness' part of the garden, then becomes part of the Mersey river basin catchment area.
We can use water freely during wet times of year, but are very cautious when it has been dry or hot. Check regularly to see that the tank is full. There is usually a trickle even in dry spells, enough to refill it over night, but if the level got really low we would be in trouble.
No pressure washing at these times, no hosepipe, except perhaps for careful use in the GH. I'm currently watering the veg plot with watering cans carried from the pond, makes me think of those African children!
we do have a water meter *(folks you DONT pay for it by the "metre", its by the litre!) was always told, until I joined Martin Lewes Money Expert Site that they were really expensive, our bills are now peanuts. We do have 4 water butts, one off each shed, 2 off greenhouse in veg plot. At times completely empty, I left the outside tap on several times, yes, hose connection "popped" doesnt sem to matter whether you buy metal or plastic, gave the garden a good old soaking, I had gone to work, Hubby came home, yes water pouring for hours, I had a little sign made, says "Turn off the Hose".
We have a meter but the standing charge still accounts for more than half the bill, in fact the standing charge just for 'water out' makes up more than half the bill. Also a personal gripe, but at the beginning of the last quarter billing our account was in credit, at the end of it our account was even more in credit and yet they've put up our monthly direct debit by 23% to "cover our next bill". Hmmm, utility companies - who would have thought it.
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
Paul, you just have to telephone the water company to complain about the increase and demand they reinstate the original payment as you have been in credit - and then ask for a refund of the credit! We've always done that with utility companies and it usually works.
I have a meter installed but am not being charged by it (yet). It says my bills would be twice what I pay now, even in December (without garden watering). There may be a leak outside somewhere - I am careful with my usage. I can't be bothered to battle Thames Water to find out why they would charge me so much. But if I am forced to go over, I will have to figure out why the bill would be so high.
Thanks @Lizzie27 , I think they rely on the fact that the vast majority don't have the time or can't be bothered to wait in the call queue. To be honest, with interest rates where they are it's as good a place to keep my savings as any. Actually, given the behavior of the banks in recent years I may even ask if I can make a deposit.
@Fire make sure they aren't still doing it on an estimated reading. When I had the electric/gas smart meter installed their first bill was what I imagine a nuclear power station gets charged. Apparently, being so smart it needed a bit of time to get its thoughts together !!
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
any thoughts from this Thread on water butt tap connectors? i have a butt, secreted behind stabby roses and really not easy to get to. i'd like to leave the tap 'open' and close the valve at the end of the pipe so i can place the end of the pipe in a more accessible place.
BUT...i can't get a hosepipe to fit well on that small plastic tap. the normal hoselock clicky things, they do attach and click but i've tried a brand new one also, they just dribble out....over days that would be too much water loss.
anyone got any hacks/products that do this well? I have a few hoses to cut/try and a few clips to tighten up to the plastic (small fear of cracking the plastic if overtightening...would prefer an off-the-shelf solution)
Take 1 length of plastic pipe. Without seeing the tap its impossible to say what diameter but 40mm should be ok in most cases.
Cut grooves (arch shaped) into either side of the pipe, so that it fits over the tap, with a little bit of tap handle sticking out of each groove in the pipe.
Turn the pipe and the tap turns with it. No need for any cobweb based horror ever again.
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any thoughts from this Thread on water butt tap connectors? i have a butt, secreted behind stabby roses and really not easy to get to. i'd like to leave the tap 'open' and close the valve at the end of the pipe so i can place the end of the pipe in a more accessible place.
BUT...i can't get a hosepipe to fit well on that small plastic tap. the normal hoselock clicky things, they do attach and click but i've tried a brand new one also, they just dribble out....over days that would be too much water loss.
anyone got any hacks/products that do this well? I have a few hoses to cut/try and a few clips to tighten up to the plastic (small fear of cracking the plastic if overtightening...would prefer an off-the-shelf solution)
Thanks!
Cut grooves (arch shaped) into either side of the pipe, so that it fits over the tap, with a little bit of tap handle sticking out of each groove in the pipe.
Turn the pipe and the tap turns with it. No need for any cobweb based horror ever again.