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Prices & Tariffs
Water Charges 1st April 2010 - 31st March 2011
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- Water Charges 1st April 2010 - 31st March 2011 - (440kb)
- Metered Bill Guide - (2mb)
- Metered Statement (Direct Debit) - (2mb)
- Non-Metered Bill Guide- (2mb)
- Non-Metered Statement (Direct Debit) - (2mb)
- A letter from our Managing Director - 2010/11 - 129kb
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Ofwat briefing note on our household charges for 2010/11
This note describes the changes to Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water’s charges for the year 2010-11.
Frequently Asked Questions about
Water Charges.
How do you calculate my bill?
Your bill is made up of a fixed (standing) charge and a calculated variable water charge.
If you have a meter, the variable charge is based on the amount of water that you use which is recorded by your water meter. If you don’t have a meter, the variable charge is based on the rateable value (RV) of your home. Rateable values were last set by the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue in 1990 and cannot be changed. To find out more about rateable values,visit our website or ring our customer service team on 01202 590059.
What is a cubic metre of water?
This is 1000 litres or about 220 gallons of water and is the unit by which water meters record. Metered water charges are based on the amount of water the meter records and therefore metered water bills can vary depending on how much water is used, like gas and electricity.
Who are Ofwat, CCWater and the Environment Agency?
All three regulate water companies, but in different ways. They co-operate in many areas.
Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales.
CCWater is the Consumer Council for Water an independent body which represents water customers.
The Environment Agency is the environmental regulator of the industry. Its role is important due to the environmental impact of water companies' activities.
Does Bournemouth & West Hampshire decide what to charge its customers?
Only within a rigidly regulated process which is controlled by Ofwat. Ofwat sets the maximum amount by which we can increase bills and then monitors that we apply these charges correctly. We must not deviate from these set rules. We also cannot change any water charges without first having had them approved by Ofwat. The Consumer Council for Water is also involved in this process.
How is the increase calculated?
Every five years Ofwat sets the annual levels by which our total income from water charges may change. This change is then added to inflation (the Retail Price Index – RPI) for the November before the change is applied.
What is meant by ‘total income’?
Total income includes revenues from standing charges, unmetered and metered household water charges, incidental charges for other services and all but the very largest commercial and industrial customers.
What is this year’s increase?
This year the level set by Ofwat is 4.0% which is set to reflect our investment patterns. The November 2009 RPI was 0.3%. This means that the effect on our total income from water charges is an overall increase of 4.3%.
So do all customers pay 4.3% more?
No. Customers’ bills vary and all the factors listed below affect how individual bills will change:
– whether your supply is metered or unmetered
– if it is metered, whether you are a high, medium or low user
– if it is not metered, whether your property has a high or low rateable value.
However all of these various changes will combine giving us a 4.3% increase in our overall income.
So what can I expect to pay?
We’ve calculated that on the whole most customers will see bill increases of £5 to £8 (10p to 15p per week) this year. Non-household customers may be slightly differently affected depending upon the meter size and the tariff they pay.
What if I’m unhappy with the increase?
Although we cannot change the level of new charges, we can help you look at other ways in which you might be able to reduce your bill. For example if your supply is unmetered, it may be in your interest to have a meter fitted free of charge. If you already have a meter we can give advice on using water efficiently. If your supply is metered and you have particular family circumstances, you may also be eligible for our WaterSure tariff. Click here for details.
