Water meter reading high what can I do?
Posted by Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 35 comments
There are two of us living in a semi-detached house. We both shower once a day, use the washing machine and dishwasher once daily, and give the dog a wash once a week.
We moved in late March and didn’t submit a meter reading at the time (I couldn’t find the meter then), so Severn Trent estimated the opening reading as 137. I’ve just received my bill, and it says the actual reading on 8th May was 180 – which seemed a bit high, so I went to check the meter myself today. It’s now showing 192.55 – and that’s only 16 days later!
If there were a water leak in the house, I feel like I’d have noticed something by now. I’m also unsure whether Severn Trent actually took a proper reading – the meter was covered in dirt when I looked today, so I’m sceptical.
Not sure what to do next – any advice would be really appreciated!
MrOtto47@reddit
this is fair usage tbf.
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
I am using 738 litres per day isn’t it 2.5 times the UK average?
MrOtto47@reddit
some of these things you are doing more than twice as often as average so that tracks tbh, ive never even heard of anyone needing to wash their dog or using washing machine / dishwasher that often with normal day-to-day use.
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
Wait a second. You guys let dirty dishes and clothes sit in the house overnight?
Infamous-Ordinary-39@reddit
Our eco setting takes about 2 hours. If you are using the quick wash you're probably using one of the least eco programmes on your washer.
PepsiMaxSumo@reddit
People do washing once a week usually and own 10-14 days worth of clothing and underwear etc
V65Pilot@reddit
I;m at about every two weeks for laundry. Granted, I hate doing laundry.
BRIStoneman@reddit
I wash up in the sink. I'm not running a whole cycle for 2 plates and 3 pans.
Also yeah. Yeah we leave our laundry to the weekend, or whenever we're running low on pants/shirts.
Do you only have like 2 days worth of clothes?
applepie86@reddit
Family of 4 at my house and we don’t run the dishwasher or the washing machine every day. I wait until the dishwasher is full and have enough laundry for a full load.
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
lol my dishwasher is standard size and it is full after one meal WTF
Inner-Device-4530@reddit
Two people would be, 2 plates, couple of knives and forks, a couple of cooking utensils and a couple of pans. How is that filling a standard sized dishwasher? Or should the question be, how many courses is one meal in your house?
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
I usually put a 8L pot into the dishwasher too lol
zone6isgreener@reddit
Yes, that's what the vast majority of people do. PIle the clothing into a laundry basket and then put it on when there is enough for a full load.
Also washing clothes on the short cycle isn't doing much cleaning either.
MrOtto47@reddit
well since you ask, i dont have a dishwasher, but generally do them the next day unless i had dinner early; for a house with a dishwasher you would scrape off the solid bits load it in the dishwasher but wait until the dishwasher is full to turn it on, for 2 people that will probably be 3 days. for the laundry i have this basket thing with a lid, it has a separator for darks and whites, all the dirty clothes go in the laundry basket, once either side reaches a full load then it gets put in the machine. putting either machine on without a full load would be a huge waste of water and electricity. is this your first time paying bills or something?
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
I always lived in a house with no water meter tbh
thpkht524@reddit
And you do your washing with the machine 90% empty? Dish washer half filled?
toady89@reddit
Are you running the washing machine at the same time as going to bed? Your neighbours must love you.
20namesandcounting@reddit
Average is around 130-140 litres per person per day so yes that seems very high. As others have said you may have a leak.
non-hyphenated_@reddit
You're using your machines more than 2.5 times the daily average too.
non-hyphenated_@reddit
You're using your dishwasher and washing machine 2.5 times the UK average
UhOhEmu@reddit
Yeah there’s also every toilet flush and food/drinks prep etc
First_Folly@reddit
Take turns in shutting off your stopcocks. This will help you determine the location of the leak if there is one.
When I moved into my house last year I was presented with a bill after only having lived there for 45 days that turned out to be enough to suit a small family for the entire year.
To cut a long, rather dull story short; my meter serves the entirety of my side of the street. No, I didn't pay. Yes, they understood and it was rectified.
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
How do you know your meter serves as the entirety point? My neighbour who share the party wall with me said they never able to find their water meter. But I can see a stop tap just outside my drive and also the neighbour on the other side.
daniscross@reddit
Your own meter (if you have one) should be within your property boundary. Off of this, you could have a shared supply pipe that serves several properties, which can also have its own meter. For now, just locate your own meter.
Find the stopcock that turns off the fresh water supply. Turn it off, then take a note of the meter reading from the meter outside. Give it an hour or two, then take another reading. If the numbers haven't increased, you don't have a leak between the meter and your property. If you do, there's possibly a leak between the meter and the stopcock.
First_Folly@reddit
I called my water company and they sent a chap out to have a look at it and confirm that I hadn't just filled several olympic-sized swimming pools. Luckily when I turned it off to check if there was a leak previously it was overnight so I don't think anyone noticed.
DepInLondon@reddit
What I find most curious here is how you found another person who also does laundry and dishwashing daily! Like, soulmates are probably easier to find than the two of you finding each other.
Mandalabouquet@reddit
I had this issue with 7 Trent trying to bill us £90 a month after we had lived in our house 6 months. Turns out their estimated reading when we moved in was miles off, bills are now £30 a month. Luckily it was in my paperwork what the reading was the day we moved in. If you don’t have this then take a reading more regularly from now on, once you have a few months worth you have the ammunition to challenge it. I’d be amazed if 137 - 192 in 2 months is right for that usage.
Nun-Taken@reddit
Go take some meter readings at a similar time everyday for a week or two, you’ll soon get a handle on your actual usage. While taking your first one, make sure all taps etc are off in the house and check to see if the little cog wheel on the meter is turning. Something like a leaking toilet valve could be a prime suspect.
stuaz@reddit
Using the washing machine daily seems excessive and will certainly contribute to your higher than average water bills.
PepsiMaxSumo@reddit
Most people use the washing machine and dishwasher once they are full - how are two people using that many dishes are getting that many clothes dirty?
UhOhEmu@reddit
I don’t know if this helps at all but before I had my water meter fitted I’d had a slow leak coming from the supply to my bath taps - must have been going on for a long time before it suddenly showed on the kitchen ceiling then a couple of hours later the now sopping wet kitchen ceiling all fell down.
So it might be worth doing a once over on any supplying pipes to faucets in the place, or if the toilet is constantly running water etc.
You can also contact the water company because IF there is a leak externally (as in from their supply to your house) then you having a water meter can help specify where exactly on their pipes it could be.
ApexSpanker@reddit
Is your meter external? Could be a leak between it and your house. If you have a stopcock inside then turn it off and see if the meter keeps running.
Otherwise-Fee8810@reddit (OP)
Yes it is external. I will try this when I am back. Thanks.
Lumpy-Combination847@reddit
100% ^
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