Changing water suppliers

[Phil Pascoe]

I keep reading that we will soon be able to change our water supplier. Having just had next year's charges for our water: if this is the case I cannot believe S.W. Water will have a customer left. I consider £1210 a year (metered) for three people in a small bungalow in one of the wettest parts of a wet island nothing short of legalised theft. We never wash the car or water the garden with mains water and not waste water in general.
I cannot see how they can give us the option - no one (except a few people with more money than sense, like those here with their electricity and gas who can't be bothered to change) will deal with S.W.W. by choice. :?

EDIT - this figure is wrong, but the question is the same - what happens if we can switch?

 

[NikNak]

£1210 per year.... METERED..?? :shock: :shock: :shock:

We've just had ours put up from £25 to £28 per month, and i was annoyed at that :shock:

And yes.... we have a washing machine, dishwasher, power showers, wash the cars, etc etc.....

 

[DrPhill]

IIRC the water companies are responsible for maintaining the coastal quality in their region. The south west has a lot of coast and the cost is shared between a relatively low number of people. If this is correct, then you can take pleasure in knowing that you are paying to maintain the beaches for all the holiday makers. There, that makes you feel better already......

(I share your pain and frustration at the ridiculous prices charged by SWW)

 

[lurker]

Phil,

What you mean is they are no longer able to pump raw sewage into the sea.
And are now required to do what landlocked water companies did 50 years ago.

 

[Rorschach]

How much!! We are also on SW water and pay (metered) less than £30 a month for 2 people, both shower everyday (missus for far too long!), use a washing machine etc. Are you sure you don't have a leak or something?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It's filtered a bit better, but it still goes into the sea. Our spider crabs get sold to France and Spain - I used to urge at the thought of eating them when we took them out of the pots covered in all different colours of toilet paper. And anyway that wouldn't justify ours being twice a high as other areas. The point about coastal pollution and holiday makers is valid to a point, but much more of that is down to shipping. Somerset, Devon and Cornwall in particular have very little political clout, having low populations and thus not many votes to be bought - imagine the uproar if suddenly the powers that be announced that London water rates were to be twice what the rest of the country's were - for not much other reason than "because we can get away with it"?
By the bye ... as there appears such a wide discrepancy between S.W.W. and the rest of the Country I wouldn't be at all surprised if it transpired that everyone except us got a choice - how else could it work?

^^^ From what I've read in the past there is a big difference between Devon and Cornwall. Our consumption fairly well matches our neighbours.

 

[Rorschach]

It's filtered a bit better, but it still goes into the sea. Our spider crabs get sold to France and Spain - I used to urge at the thought of eating them when we took them out of the pots covered in all different colours of toilet paper. And anyway that wouldn't justify ours being twice a high as other areas. The point about coastal pollution and holiday makers is valid to a point, but much more of that is down to shipping. Somerset, Devon and Cornwall in particular have very little political clout, having low populations and thus not many votes to be bought - imagine the uproar if suddenly the powers that be announced that London water rates were to be twice what the rest of the country's were - for not much other reason than "because we can get away with it"?
By the bye ... as there appears such a wide discrepancy between S.W.W. and the rest of the Country I wouldn't be at all surprised if it transpired that everyone except us got a choice - how else could it work?

^^^ From what I've read in the past there is a big difference between Devon and Cornwall. Our consumption fairly well matches our neighbours.

If there is a county difference then I am glad we live on the right side of the border, do enjoy a nice stroll over the bridge though. :lol:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

There has to be a benefit - after you can't even crimp pasties or make cream teas properly.

 

[Rorschach]

There has to be a benefit - after you can't even crimp pasties or make cream teas properly.

You can comment all you like about pasties, yours are better but our cream tea's are done properly, not the stupid way you do it so the cream slides off the jam #-o :lol:

 

[sunnybob]

Phil, seriously, thats a LOT of water fees.
You should check the meter reading and not use at all for a day (go to the seaside and look for toilet paper) and then check it again when you get back to make sure you dont have a leak.
Check the little red dial, thats the one that will show a leak.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

There has to be a benefit - after you can't even crimp pasties or make cream teas properly.

You can comment all you like about pasties, yours are better but our cream tea's are done properly, not the stupid way you do it so the cream slides off the jam #-o :lol:

And your way the cream melts if the scone or (as it should be) split is warm.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Phil, seriously, thats a LOT of water fees.
You should check the meter reading and not use at all for a day (go to the seaside and look for toilet paper) and then check it again when you get back to make sure you dont have a leak.
Check the little red dial, thats the one that will show a leak.

Definitely no leaks, and on a par with everyone else's, other than single adults. About five years my friend with two young children and a builder husband had a water bill of £1700 a year - she wasn't careful but was in no way extravagant.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Sorry - I screwed this up. I've just been through it all again and I misread it. It is £720. I'll amend the OP. The question is the same though - what will happen if we can change supplier - we're still afaik the highest in the Country.

 

[Rorschach]

There has to be a benefit - after you can't even crimp pasties or make cream teas properly.

You can comment all you like about pasties, yours are better but our cream tea's are done properly, not the stupid way you do it so the cream slides off the jam #-o :lol:

And your way the cream melts if the scone or (as it should be) split is warm.

I think we will have to agree to disagree and if I ever visit we will have to prepare our own scones (fruited for me :twisted: )

Oh and I'll bring a bottle of water, since it is a premium product down there :lol:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Splits are much nicer anyway.

 

[Rorschach]

Splits are much nicer anyway.

Aside from a fruited scone, my favourite way is actually a slice of really fresh crusty white bread.

 

[Roughcut]

Looking at the South West Water website their water charges don't seem overly expensive but their sewerage charges seem high compared to Anglian Water for example.
In my opinion it is the sewerage charges that are pushing your bill up for whatever reason.

http://southwestwater.custhelp.com/app/ ... l/a_id/172

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/household ... ard-rates/

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes, the sewerage is about 33% more than the water - which considering it goes into the sea is rather a lot.

 

[Rorschach]

Yes, the sewerage is about 33% more than the water - which considering it goes into the sea is rather a lot.

At least around here it is treated, whether it is then pumped out to sea or back into the system I don't know.

 

[RogerS]

Ah, the joy of a private well and septic tank. :-"