Why have a meter?

If we all use water wisely, we can help reduce the amount taken from rivers and underground sources. By opting for a meter you not only benefit the environment by being more aware of your own use, but it may also help reduce your water charges. The following information will help you to make that choice and apply for a meter to be fitted. Unmetered charges for water are based on the rateable value (RV) of your property, as shown on your water bill.

As an alternative you can have a meter installed so that future bills are based upon the amount of water you actually use.

In some cases it is compulsory to install a water meter at a household property. This can be upon change of occupancy, or when we consider that a substantial amount of water would be used over and above that of a normal household. For example:

If you use a garden sprinkler.
If you leave a hosepipe running unattended.
If you have a swimming pool or garden pond with a capacity greater than 10,000 litres.

You can download a copy of our Household Water Metering booklet which explains in more detail how charges are applied.

Will I be better off on a meter?
The tables below will help you decide whether you could benefit from having a meter installed. This should only be used as a guide because water use can vary considerably depending on the individual household.

It is worth remembering that power showers use a lot more water than ordinary showers and can use as much as a bath.

Figures taken from Ofwat's "Water & You" leaflet.

Bath.................................80 litres per bath
Shower.............................35 litres per shower
Washing Machine..............65 litres per load
Dishwasher.......................25 litres per load
Flushing the toilet..............7-9 litres per flush
Sprinkler/hose...................540 litres per hour

Water use - low
No. in household	1	2	3	4	5	6
Water use Low	Prefer showers. Few/no baths. Little/low use of washing machine. Little/no garden watering.
Amount used (m³)	33	61	89	117	144	172
Metered charge:	£172.53	£227.49	£282.46	£337.42	£390.42	£445.39

Water use - average
No. in household	1	2	3	4	5	6
Water use Average	Daily baths/showers. Regular use of washing machine and dishwasher. Occasional use of hosepipe.
Amount used (m³)	76	117	159	200	242	283
Metered charge:	£256.94	£337.42	£419.87	£500.35	£582.80	£663.28

Water use - high
No. in household	1	2	3	4	5	6
Water use High	Daily baths. Heavy use of washing machine. Daily use of dishwasher. Extensive use of sprinkler or hosepipe.
Amount used (m³)	97	142	190	239	288	338
Metered charge:	£298.16	£386.50	£480.72	£576.91	£673.09	£771.24

1m³ = one cubic metre = 1000 litres (220 gallons)

These are estimated annual water service charges based on a semi-detached home, using charges for the year 2013/14 including sewerage and surface water drainage charges.

How will my charges be calculated?
The charges on the bill will be for water, used water, water standing charge, sewerage standing charge and surface water drainage.
The water and used water charges are calculated based on the water usage. The water standing charge is based on the size of the meter and covers the cost of reading, billing, maintaining and when necessary, replacing the meter. The sewerage standing charge is also based on the size of the meter to recover the costs incurred by Severn Trent Water. Lastly, the surface water drainage charge covers the collection and treatment of rainwater that falls on to your property and drains into the public sewers.
Please note that the charges for used water, sewerage standing and surface water drainage are set by Severn Trent Water and we act as agents for the billing and collection of their charges.