Your guide toHousehold WaterMetering

IntroductionIt’s generally considered that it’s fairer to pay for the amount of water you actually use, rather than by a fixed amount. After all, you pay for electricity and gas according to what you use.

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 bills. Using less water can also help reduce your energy bills, as you can make savings on the cost of heating water up.

All newly built properties are automatically metered.

It is compulsory to have a water meter fitted in cases where a substantial amount of water would be used, over and above that of a normal household. These cases are:

• Ifyouuseagardensprinkler.• Ifyouleaveahosepiperunningunattended.• Ifyouhaveaswimmingpoolorgardenpondwithacapacitygreaterthan

10,000 litres.

This guide is intended to help you understand the process and conditions of having a water meter installed. For information on charges and other costs, please read “Your Guide to Metered Charges.”

How will my charges be calculated?The charges for metered water consist of five elements:

• Chargeablevolumeofwater relates to the usage of water registered through the meter.

• Waterstandingcharge relates to the size of the meter and covers the cost of reading, billing, maintaining and, in due course, replacing the meter.

• Sewerage relates to volume of water registered through the meter. It is assumed that the volume of ‘water in’ equals the volume of ‘water out’.

• Seweragestandingcharge relates to the costs incurred by Severn Trent Water not attributable to the consumption registered through the meter.

• Surfacewaterdrainagecharge relates to removal and treatment of the water that falls as rain onto roofs, yards and other parts of the property. This is an annual charge based on whether the property is either terraced or a flat, semi-detached or detached.

SewerageandsurfacewaterdrainagechargesarecollectedbySouthStaffsWater on behalf of Severn Trent Water.

Where will the meter be installed?External meter and chamberOur policy is to fit the meter externally at the boundary of your home, where our existing main stop tap (MST) is located either on the footpath or just within the boundary of your property.

Sometimes it’s not possible to install an external meter, usually due to shared water supplies. In these circumstances we will carry out a survey to fit the meter inside, where the supply first enters the property. If your property has more than one point of entry, no more than two meters will be fitted. Should two meters need to be fitted there will be a charge for the second fit. The fee is payable before the meter is fitted. Please see “Your Guide to Metered Charges” for details.

How much will it cost?Normally the meter will be fitted freeofcharge, as long as the meter is fitted in one of our preferred locations and the work can be carried out practically and at reasonable expense. We may refuse to fit a meter free of charge where:

• Youhaveasharedservicewithoneormoreproperties.Ifthisisthecase,youcanapply to have a separate supply. To find out more visit the Supply Responsibility section on our website - www.south-staffs-water.co.uk.

• Thedwellingisaflatwithseparatehotandcoldwatersupplies.

• Substantialalterationstotheexistingplumbingand/orjoinerywouldbeneeded before it could be installed.

• Youasktohavethemeterinalocationotherthantheonedeterminedbyourrepresentative.

• Ifyourhomehastwopointsofentry,twometerswillneedtobefitted.Thecost of installing the additional meter(s) is not included and would have to be paid for by you. The cost will need to be paid before the meters are fitted. If this applies to you, we will let you know during your survey.

Rented accommodationIf you live in a rented property you can still have a meter fitted, free of charge, subject to conditions. You must let your landlord know that you have asked us for a meter.

What if you cannot install a meter?If the initial survey shows that a meter cannot be fitted either internally or externally at reasonable cost, we will offer you the alternative of paying an assessed charge for your water and sewerage services. Assessed charges are based on your property type and not its rateable value. If your rateable value (RV) is lower than the assessed charge, then you would continue to be charged on the basis of RV. “Your Guide to Metered Charges” contains more information about this.

Where a meter can be fitted at reasonable cost, or where you refuse to pay any additional costs for the installation in an alternative location, or if you refusetocarryoutanyworkneededforthemetertobeinstalled,theassessedchargewillNOTbeoffered.Thechargeswillcontinuetobebasedontherateable value of your home.

How do I apply for a meter?If you wish to have a meter fitted please complete the “Application for a household water meter”, in full, and send it to: SouthStaffsWater,POBox63,Walsall,WS27PJ.

Alternatively, you can call us on 08454567063 if you have any further questions or wish to know how your application is progressing.

How long will it take?Confirmation of your application will be given within five working days of receipt. Our contractor will telephone you to arrange an appointment to carry out the initial survey. If we cannot contact you by telephone our contractor will text or write asking you to contact them to arrange an appointment. If our contractor is unable to contact you within 21 days of your application being received, your application will be cancelled.

We aim to carry out the survey and fit your meter within three months of the application being received. Where possible we will install the meter during the initial survey. If it is not possible we will arrange another visit. The survey can take around one hour and the installation two to three hours, dependent on the work needed.

Important:Ifyouhavetocancelyourappointment,pleaseletusknowassoonaspossibleon08454567063.Ifyoufailtokeeptotheallocatedappointmentslot,wewillchargeyouafee.Pleasesee“YourGuidetoMeteredCharges”fordetails.

If it is necessary to install a meter chamber, then this will be completed on a separate visit. We may need access to the outside of your property. However, it may not be necessary for you to be present.

Weaimtoupdateyouraccountwithinonemonthofthemeterbeingfitted.Itisimportantthatyoucontinuetopayyourunmeteredbillsduringthistime.Oncecompletedanyoverorunderpaymentwillberefundedorbilledaccordinglyandaletterofconfirmationwillbesent.

Contacting usIf you need help completing your application form, please ring us on: 08454567063 and select Option1.

Or, if you have already applied to have a water meter fitted and would like to know how your application is progressing, please ring us on:08454567063 and select Option2.

Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Important informationDoIneedtodoanythingatmyproperty?If it is possible to fit the meter outside at the boundary of your home you will need to take no further action. Where this is not possible we will carry out a survey to see if we can fit one inside. To do this we will need access to the internal stop tap where the supply first enters the property. Please note: Either you, or a representative, will need to be present for the survey.

Isyourinternalstoptapingoodworkingorder?Please note that it is essential that your internal stop tap is in working order; you are responsible for its repair and maintenance. If it is not working, it may delay installation.

Duringtheinstallationwewillneedtoturnoffyourwatersupply.Pleaseensureyourwashingmachineordishwasherisnotinusebeforetheappointment is due.

Conditions of meter fitSometimes you may need to carry out work prior to a meter being fitted. These would have to be undertaken by you and at your cost. These may include:• Structuralormajorpipeworkalterations• Extensivejoineryrequirements–forexample,thecompleteremovaland

replacement of kitchen units• Thedisconnectionandrepositioningofgasappliances• Therepairorreplacementofdefectiveinternalstoptaps• Tilingorredecoration• Therepairofanyleaksfoundonfaultyfittingsoraprivatesupplypipe• Thereplantingorlandscapingofgardenareas• Ifitisnecessarytoexcavateyourdriveway,footpathorpatio,ourcontractor

will ensure the area is made safe after fitting the meter. The permanent reinstatement of any disturbed area is at your own expense.

Can I change my mind?You can change your mind before your meter is fitted. You should notify us as soon as possible so your application can be cancelled. Please telephone08454567063, Option2.

If, once the meter has been installed, you find that your metered bill is higher than your previous charges, you can change back to charges based on the rateable value of the property. This must be received in writing within12months of the meter being installed, along with a meter reading. You will have to pay for the water registered through the meter up to the date of your request.

Note:Anyadditionalchargesyoumayhavepaidtocarryoutthemeterinstallation will not be refunded.

OncethemeterhasbeenfitteditwillNOTberemovedevenifyouchangebacktopayingbyrateablevaluecharges.

Ifyoumoveintoapropertythathasameterfitted,youmustpaythechargesbasedonmeteredusage,evenifthepreviousoccupiershadchangedbacktorateable value.

If you use a garden sprinkler, leave a hose pipe running unattended or have a pond or swimming pool with a capacity greater than 10,000 litres you will not be able to revert to the rateable value charges for your property.

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Your guide to metered charges

This guide is intended to help you decide whether or not you will save money having a water meter. For information on the process and conditions of having a water meter installed, please read “Your Guide to Household Water Meters.”

Your likely charges on a water meterUse the table inside this leaflet to monitor your usage over one week. Ask each member of your household to count the number of times they use the water resources in your home and add the daily figures to the boxes below. Miscellaneous use, e.g. personal drinking, cooking, washing-up and handwashing water is calculated at 320 litres per person per week.

Do not underestimate the amount you use.

This information can also be found on our website, www. south-staffs-water.co.uk

At least one bill each financial year (April 1st to March 31st) will be based on an actual meter reading.

Mon

day

Tues

day

Wed

nesd

ay

Thur

sday

Frid

ay

Satu

rday

Sund

ay

Tota

l

Mul

tiplie

d by

th

e nu

mbe

r of

litre

s us

ed fo

r ea

ch fa

cilit

y

Estim

ated

tota

l lit

res u

sed

per

wee

k

BathroomBath x80

Power shower x75

Standard shower x45

Toilet x7.5

Kitchen

Dishwasher x21

LaundryWashing machine x45

Number of people in your house (miscellaneous use) x320

A. Total litres per week

B. Total cubic metres used per weekTo convert litres to cubic metres, divide the weekly total litres (box A) by 1000

C. Annual domestic water use (in cubic metres)Multiply weekly total (box B) by 52 (weeks in year)

D. Annual hosepipe use (in cubic metres)Estimate the number of hours you use a hosepipe per year (approximate usage = one cubic metre an hour)

E. Total annual water used Add row C to row D

Water

Standing charge £34.44

Volume chargeMultiply the number of cubic metres used in row E by £1.0628

Wastewater (only complete this section if your property is attached to the main sewer)

Standing charge £13.62

Volume chargeMultiply the number of cubic metres used in row E by £0.9511

Drainage bandFlat / Terrace: £31.54 Semi-detached: £63.20 Detached: £94.73

Total estimated annual charge

Other charges

Where two meters are neededIf your property has two water entry points then two meters will need to be fitted.  There will be a charge of £115+VAT for the second meter fit.  This fee is payable before the meters are fitted and you will be advised of this during the survey. If there are more than two water entry points, we will not be able to meter your property.

Assessed chargesIf we are unable to install a meter, you can instead pay an assessed charge which is based on your property type.  For conditions, please see the  “What if you cannot install a meter” section of “Your Guide to Household Water Metering.”

Current charges are listed in the table below. If your rateable value (RV) is lower than the assessed charge, then you would continue to be charged on the basis of RV.

Assessed charge for water, £pa

Assessed charge for sewerage, £pa

Surface water drainage, £pa

Terrace/flat 135.15 113.29 31.54

Semi-detached 188.21 126.86 63.20

Detached 238.47 151.70 94.73

Single person* 111.44 62.58Applicable property

type charge, as above

* Proof of single occupancy will be required i.e. council tax bill.

Failing to keep appointmentsImportant: If we fail to keep the appointment, you will be entitled to a payment of £20. Also, if you have to cancel your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible on 0845 45 67 063 (option 2). If you fail to keep to the allocated appointment slot, we may charge you £45.

Paying by monthly direct debitIf you pay your bill by monthly direct debit, following the meter installation we will ask you to pay £25.00 per month for the first 12 months until we are aware of your consumption. This will then be adjusted dependent on your usage.

All charges contained in this leaflet are effective from April 1st, 2014 to March 31st, 2015.

Did you know…?

…that if you turn off the tap while brushing your teeth you’ll save around 6 litres of water each time. A family of four brushing twice a day for two minutes each time could save nearly 50 litres of water a day!

Five minutes in a shower will use about 45 litres of water compared to 80 litres in a bath. A power shower, though, will use around 75 litres.

One full load of washing will generally use less water than two half loads. So don’t switch on the machine until it’s full!

You can save on watering the garden by growing drought resistant plants and by using a watering can, which lets you direct water where needed, rather than a hosepipe which sprays water around.

You could save around 5,000 litres of water a year by installing a water butt in the garden. You can order one from:

www.ssw.savewater.co.uk.

For more tips on how you can save water, go to our website: www.south-staffs-water.co.uk