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Is anyone using a smart water meter, if so, pros and cons?

We use on average 6 cubic metres of water per month. We have a band D property for council tax. (Not quite the same as water rates but allows a comparison.)

As far as I know the only properties that they can force to use a water meter are:-

1. New builds
2. Properties where there was already a water meter fitted before you move in. We moved in 5 years ago and the previous owner was a single widow who'd had the meter fitted so we have no choice but to be charged using it.

I have to admit it's halved our water bills but there's only me and Mrs B, we've only had three baths in the last five years (we have daily showers before you all say I smell) I never water the garden and don't wash the car at home.
 
Don't water your garden or you'll pay over twice for it. Other than that use a shower etc.
 
We’ve been on a water meter since we moved in when it was a new build in 1995.
We went Smart a couple of years ago we use more water than the fire brigade so it’s fine few pay for what we use.
 
Water meter - Yes. Smart water meter - No.

I have a dumb water meter and pay monthly installments via paper billing (I get a sheaf of payment slips once a year). When the annual reassessment is made, I read the meter. If it's out, I ring them and tell them to try again. (The company is foreign owned and likes to try large price hikes from time to time).
 
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We had one in our 2 bed flat, but you have to also think about how many people are in your house
Our bills used to be around £600 a year had meter installed dropped to around £300
Then we had 2 children come to live with us, and a hot summer not so good having meter then lol

Hot summer and you have a large pool this is where the sting in the tail comes in
we filled ours 2 times it sent the bill to over £800 plus this was a 12ft pool @ ft deep so ye a lot of water....
now moved home to a 3 bedroom house, and we don't have water meter because of above, i can't stand another summer of why can't we have a pool :)

Note: As Below

The only instance where you can decline a water meter is if your supplier only recommends you have a water meter, but does not have legal powers to enforce it. If your water supplier has been granted legal powers to fit compulsory water meters, you don't have any right to refuse one

Pete
 
Okay I admit it, I’m Mr Thicky McThick on this subject so I’m pleading for help
Without wishing to start a separate bun fight, I have Smart (huh) meters for gas and electric. The electric one works most of the time the gas none of it, apparently it doesn’t get a clear enough signal from the meter.
How the hell does a Smart water meter work?
The current meter is underground, so signal will be poo
What is powering the meter to send signals?
Do you get a separate little box to show consumption like a power company one?

Sounds like the start of peak rate and off peak charging rates for water to me.

To any of you wise folk who know, thank you.
 
Grey Man said:
Water meter - Yes. Smart water meter - No.

I have a dumb water meter and pay monthly installments via paper billing (I get a sheaf of payment slips once a year). When the annual reassessment is made, I read the meter. If it's out, I ring them and tell them to try again. (The company is foreign owned and likes to try large price hikes from time to time).
Click to expand...
I can't read mine, it's under a locked cover on the pavement & only the water company can open it to read the meter.
 
rbailey1966 said:
My bill is half as well with smart meter
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That's because previously you were on the rateable value system paying your water rates rather than a meter. If you're a low occupancy household having a meter is the best way to go, you will or should pay less unless you're very extravagant with your water usage.
I don't think it makes any difference whether it's a smart meter or a conventional meter.
I'm a single occupancy householder and when i went over to a meter years ago my water rate halved in cost.
 
Neptune said:
Okay I admit it, I’m Mr Thicky McThick on this subject so I’m pleading for help
Without wishing to start a separate bun fight, I have Smart (huh) meters for gas and electric. The electric one works most of the time the gas none of it, apparently it doesn’t get a clear enough signal from the meter.
How the hell does a Smart water meter work?
The current meter is underground, so signal will be poo
What is powering the meter to send signals?
Do you get a separate little box to show consumption like a power company one?

Sounds like the start of peak rate and off peak charging rates for water to me.

To any of you wise folk who know, thank you.
Click to expand...
From my previous post:

I've been on a water meter for 31 years and have saved a small fortune, but we have yet to go 'smart'. From what I understand talking to a Severn Trent Water rep. is that the smart meter simply allows a meter reader to remotely read the meter from his van without the need to physically open the inspection hatch (clean out all the sand the ants have deposited Homer face palm ), and then read the meter...probably in the pouring rain. Apparently the meter has a battery installed and can be remotely woken up or put to sleep from the van.
 
wilkinss77 said:
I can't read mine, it's under a locked cover on the pavement & only the water company can open it to read the meter.
Click to expand...
Not sure why yours is locked, all of the meters where I live are free access.
 
wilkinss77 said:
I can't read mine, it's under a locked cover on the pavement & only the water company can open it to read the meter.
Click to expand...
That's odd as most are just under a cover that just flips up. Mine is under cover that has a recess in it to put a screwdriver blade in so you can prise it open/lift it up.
They're all like that where i live, some are square shape and some the later ones are round.
Hope you don't get what i had, a leaking mains stop cock in the kitchen because you won't be able to turn the water off until the water company can come out to you.
 
I guess it all depends on the number of people living in the property.
I live in a three bedroom house with one other adult.
After having a water meter installed some years ago our water bill is now well under half of what it use to be .
We get a bill twice a year one established one taken from a small device situated of the front of house. Certainly for us it was a good choice
 
SteveB13 said:
I'm under the control of United Utilities. They work to a 50% loss rate from reservoir to tap which is disgusting. They also charge me more for removing water off my roof than they do for water we use. Go figure.
Click to expand...
Tell them you have soakaways to get a reduction , they can't prove whether you have or not
 
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