I absolutely agree with you about being careful. That's why I gave comparison figures. We have a high Rateable Value - not the same as Council Tax banding.

Apparently the Rateable Values were set in the 1970s, as a guideline for the amount of rent which landlords could charge on a property. These guidelines are now out of date for rent, but water companies still use them to calculate water bills where there is no meter. My Dad lives alone now, but he's paying the same amount as though the family were still there. Also, it makes no difference if he is on holiday or at home, the bill is the same. But he's old, and unwilling to make changes.

What you have to do is face the enemy - get hold of the facts and try to work out if you would make a saving or not.

Using a water butt helps in the garden.

I hope you continue to make the savings. My son lives on his own, washes up once a week, showers daily and uses the washing machine twice a week. He has modern double flush cisterns etc. He also spends 2 days a week with us. All I know is that there is no way I'm moving my supply to a meter. All my kids come back home to wash cars here. I also have a large garden and water the flower beds in the summer. I dread to think what my bill would be.

My advice to anyone opting for a meter would be to be very careful about making the switch you can't switch back.

Sorry, my figures are correct. South East Water charge 82.37p per cubic metre and Thames Water charge 51.93p per cubic metre to remove waste water and sewerage.

In our house, we use showers instead of baths. I have a dishwasher and fill it up before running it. Similarly, the washing machine runs on a full load. It's surprising how much water gets away if you leave the tap running while brushing your teeth, for instance. If you know that there are no leaks or drips and that your machines are reasonably economical and you still have a high bill, maybe its a case of 'two can live as cheaply as one'. Good Luck

P.S. a small toilet cistern (or one with double flush facility) saves water. I've put a 'hippo' in my large cistern.

My sons house is only18 months old so hopefully there isn't a leak. I was shocked when he got the bill. However, his bill is lower than all the neighbours and we took the meter readings. He is with Southern Water. All the standing charges seem high. He queried the bill and checked on their usage guide and it all seems about right.

I think your son may have a leak. We have a two bed flat .There are two of us and I am in all day, using water for dishwasher, washer,showrs, baths and in the summer some for the garden.My bill was about £95 for six months.

Leaks underground that are trickling away additional water are difficult to spot. Ask the water company to come and check,

5 of us living in a 4 bedroom, 2 storey house taking 2 showers a day, no use of hosepipe and the bill came to between 360 and 420 pounds per year.

Either you are not using much water or your price per cubic metre is much cheaper.

I think you may have an estimated or incorrect reading! My son lives alone in a small 1 bedroom house. He does not use a hose for the garden, does not wash the car at his place and is here at home 2 days a week. His bill for 6 months was £132. I know my son is being careful with water and all utilities. Anyone switching needs to be very careful they do not make a mistake. To be honest homebody I can't think you have got this right!

Larger domestic property owners can make savings from the minute their water meter is installed. Compare my figures below for our family of four in a former boarding house over 3 floors, in South East England. If you don't know your Rateable Value you can ask your local Council or Water Supplier.

"Unmetered water: Rateable Value of £492 - for each £1 the charge is 53.99p total £265.63 plus £20 connection = £285.63 Apr/Oct 08.
Metered water: 96 cu m @ 82.37p = £79.08, standing ch £8.51, waste water £49.85, standing ch £22.50, total = £159.94 Apr/Oct 08."