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Optional Metering
Benefits| Water meter calculator | Applying for a meter | Paying your metered bill | Help with paying metered bills | Frequently asked questions | Your option to meter |
Benefits
You may ask why is there such a great interest to meter customers’ water supplies.
There are several reasons. Firstly, we are encouraged to conserve natural resources and energy for the sake of our environment. People become more aware of their water use when they are metered, as the more you use the more you pay. The less water we take from our surroundings whether it is a river or a borehole source, the less impact we have on our environment. The less water we need the less chemicals are required in the treatment and the less energy used in distribution. There will also be less volume of sewage to treat as a result.
By becoming aware of your usage and then conserving water we will be able to offset the need to build larger treatment plants and water storage reservoirs. This will also defer the need to lay larger pipes to accommodate the growing demand and maintain service levels. Pipe laying can create major traffic disruption in urban areas and be very costly. We can all benefit from conservation and at the same time, you save yourself money if you are on a meter.
Secondly, for many years now we have been aware that much of the water lost is leaking from private supply pipes to properties. Meters placed on the footpath at the beginning of the supply pipe can make leakage apparent. Provided that you act on the report of a leak on your section of pipe, we will not charge you for the water that has been lost (see Leakage for conditions).
Thirdly, many people feel that metering is the fairest way to charge for water; similar to gas and electricity, paying for what you use. There are obviously those who could be disadvantaged if metered. The government has made provisions within the Water Industry Charges( Vulnerable Groups) Regulations1999 for those that may experience hardship. (See Help with paying metered bills)
To help you in conservation and water efficiency, we have details of various products that are available. Click here.
Should I have a meter?
Metering - Charges Calculation
Applying for a meter
Fill in the meter application form below and send it to us. If you require further information or would like to discuss any aspect of metering please ring our Customer Service on 01202 590059.
On receipt of your application we will survey the property and advise you whether it is possible to install a meter. If we are unable to meet you for whatever reason we will write to you with this information.
We will then install the meter as soon as possible. Please note however, that installation may be delayed if:
- we have to notify the Local Authority about excavating the highway
- alteration is required to your plumbing prior to installation
- circumstances arise outside our control.
We will leave a postcard informing you when the meter was installed.
Please fill in the form and click the Submit Form button.
Paying your metered bill
Your first metered bill
You will continue to pay your current rateable value based charge until the meter is fitted. Once your meter is installed, we will close your unmetered water bill from the date the meter was fitted. The remaining credit or debit balance on your account will then be transfered to a newly created metered account with a seperate account reference. We will then contact your sewerage billing company (either Wessex Water or Southern Water) with the details of the meter installation and they will adjust their sewerage bill in due course.
Can I pay by instalments?
Yes! We have a budget plan for metered customers. If you already pay by Direct Debit please tick the appropriate box on the application form.
If you do not, please fill in the instruction that will be enclosed with your first metered bill or telephone or Customer Services on 01202 590059 with your bank details.
Help with paying metered bills
All about the WaterSure tariff
The Water Industry Charges (Vulnerable Groups) Regulations 1999 ensure that safeguards are now in place that protect certain vulnerable customers who have a water meter. It means that some customers can receive a water and sewerage bill capped at the average household bill rather than the actual metered bill.
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Do you qualify?
In order to qualify for this tariff the customer, or another person living with them at the property, must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Job Seekers Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Council Tax Credit
- Income related employment and support allowance
They must also:
- Have 3 or more dependant children under the age of 19
OR - Suffer from a medical condition that may require them to use a significant additional amount of water. Examples include:
- Weeping Skin Disease
- Incontinence
- Desquamation
- Abdominal Stoma
- Renal Failure requiring dialysis at home
Please remember that the tariff is only available to customers on a water meter who may be faced with disproportionately high water and sewerage bills as a result of their social circumstances or medical condition. It is also not available to customers who use a swimming pool, sprinkler system or non-hand-held garden watering device.
If you wish to benefit from this tariff you must complete an application form. This can be obtained by ringing us on 01202 590059 or e-mailing us at customerservice@bwhwater.co.uk. This single application will also cover sewerage charges and we will pass the relevant information to the sewerage billing company (either Wessex Water or Southern Water).
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What we will need
In addition to a completed application form customers will need to provide proof of entitlement to their benefits in the form of entitlement notices or benefit books. We may also request a medical certificate from you. We will also require eligible customers to reapply annually, but we will remind them to do so.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a charge to fit a water meter?
Normally there are no installation charges. However, this offer is subject to a survey as in certain circumstances it may be impracticable or expensive for example:
- if you share a water supply with your neighbour
- if you need to alter the existing plumbing. We would ask you to have any necessary plumbing work done before we install the water meter.
We normally install the meter at the boundary of the property. We may also charge you if you want your water meter installed somewhere else.
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Where will the meter be fitted?
In most cases, the meter is fitted in the boundary stop cock box. This is a small underground box, usually located in the pavement or grass verge at the front boundary of your property. If your property does not have a separate boundary stop cock, the Company may consider an internal installation, providing access for reading and maintenance can be guaranteed during normal working hours. Please note however, that you will continue to be wholly or jointly responsible for the maintenance of your supply pipe. In most cases, this is from the boundary stop cock to the inside of your property.
What happens if i am unable to have a water meter installed?
If we consider that the cost of fitting the meter is unreasonable due to the cost of the plumbing work involved, we will automatically place you on an Assessed Metered Charge. For domestic customers, the charge will be based on 60 cubic metres per person per annum. For commercial customers, the charge will be based on the nature of the business and the number of employees.
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When the meter is fitted, will this affect my direct debit?
Your current direct debit arrangement will automatically be transferred to your new, metered water account. However, we will change the frequency of the claims to twice a year. This is because metered properties are not billed on the same basis as unmetered properties. If you opt to have a meter fitted, the application form will provide you with a tick box so that you can chose to change from twice a year to a monthly basis. If a meter has been fitted for a different reason, please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 01202 - 590059 and we will be pleased to alter your direct debit arrangement for you.
Can I refuse to have a water meter fitted?
In the main, no. Water companies are under constant pressure from the Environment Agency and Ofwat to promote the efficient use of water and metering is an excellent way of doing this. The 1999 Water Act laid down very clear rules as to when we can and can't fit meters, therefore if we propose to fit one it will be because the Law states that we are within our rights. If you feel that there is a very strong case as to why one should not be fitted please write to us and we will consider your circumstance, but we cannot guarantee that this will stop the installation.
How much might I use?
Please be aware that individual water usage can vary considerably. From experience we have found that on average, domestic water use is about 60 cubic metres per person per year. This figure however must be treated as an approximation. Some households may be well above this figure, while others may be well below.
The main factors affecting use are the number of people in the house, the number of automatic washing appliances, the number of baths and showers taken each week and garden watering.
To enable you to have some idea of what you might use please click here.
For further information please call our Customer Services department on 01202 590059. Alternatively, you may e-mail us at customerservice@bwhwater.co.uk.
When will the meter be read?
Under normal circumstances your meter will be read at six monthly intervals. The readings will be used to calculate the charges due for each six months and you should receive your bill in the post shortly after the meter reader has visited your property. If for any reason it proves impossible to read the meter or the meter stops recording, you will receive a bill with an estimated consumption either based on a similar period in a previous year, or one based upon the best information available at the time.
Who is responsible for the meter?
We are responsible for maintaining or replacing the meter unless you damage or misuse it. In this case, you may have to pay for any repair.
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Do we notify the sewerage company that a meter has been fitted and are the charges affected?
Once a meter is installed, we will inform the relevant sewerage company that a meter has been fitted. We will also send the meter readings to them and they will use these to assess their charges. Normally this will be 95% of the recorded water consumption. This is based on the assumption that 5% of your water will be used to water your garden etc: - and will therefore not return to the sewer. If you think this rate does not reflect your personal use, we advise you to contact your sewerage company and ask for a non-return to sewer form. For Wessex Water customers, the telephone number is 0845 6002600 and for Southern Water customers, the telephone number is 0845 2720845.
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Will I be able to revert back to an unmeasured basis of charge?
You cannot revert under any circumstance unless you have opted for a water meter. In this case, you will be able to revert back to your former method of charging. This option will be available once the meter has been in place for a period of twelve months. However, please note that this request must be made in writing before the end of the thirteenth month.
Your option to meter
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