Water Meters

[Peter D Williams]

Afternoon All

What do members on here think of the fitting of compulsory water meters on all domestic houses/flats/ Bungalows

At least the sun is out today but its still cold so keep warm everyone plenty of hot drinks

[PeterTurland]

That we measure stuff, is a true marker for a scientific culture.

However, proper capitalism means the investor takes a true risk with their money, there is absolutely no risk in investing in our species need for water.

Investing in our species need for water, either trumps doing a proper days work, or denigrates the wisdom of some capitalists, who use their wisdom to make themselves richer, by taking a real risk with their money.

Just to clarify, wisdom is about why and intelligence is about how.

[Roger de Coverly]

What do members on here think of the fitting of compulsory water meters on all domestic houses/flats/ Bungalows

I wouldn't like to comment on the compulsion, but isn't the practical choice between paying for water on the basis of what you use, against paying for water on what your house is worth?

[John McKenna]

Why are people having to pay for what should be free by right in a civilised society? In ancient Rome, the capital and other major cities had free water for most citizens. They seem to have accepted that water was a necessity not just another commodity.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/ro ... ducts.html

Read the last paragraph first.

Fontium memoria cum sanctitate adhuc exstat et colitur... (Frontinus - The Aqueducts of Rome)

[Peter D Williams]

Why are people having to pay for what should be free by right in a civilised society? In ancient Rome, the capital and other major cities had free water for most citizens. They seem to have accepted that water was a necessity not just another commodity.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/ro ... ducts.html

Read the last paragraph first.

Fontium memoria cum sanctitate adhuc exstat et colitur... (Frontinus - The Aqueducts of Rome)

Afternoon how are we all today.


Very interesting about the Romans water supply and it being free.I look into this in greater detail.

South East Water are compulsory fitting water meters in the South." In 2007, the area you live in and which we supply with water was classed by the Environment Agency as being an area of serious water stress. The effects of climate change, with warmer and drier years, alongside the projected population growth in the region, will put further pressure on the water that is naturally available.

As part of a five year investment programme agreed with Ofwat, we will be installing 200,000 water meters by 2015, meaning that 70% of our customers will have a meter by 2015 with the number due to reach 90% by 2020. This is a compulsory programme to fit meters to help protect your future water supplies.

South East water supply to large area. South East Water is one of 21 regulated water supply companies in England and Wales, and we have 2.1 million people living in our supply area who depend on us to deliver safe, high quality drinking water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We supply 880,000 properties with water from more than 250 boreholes and wells, six river intakes and six surface reservoirs.

I guess if people cut back on their use of water you could well save money on the bill 4 minute shower and shave with a mug of water

Right well i am off for some cheese see you all soon

[John McKenna]

Roger pointed out the difference in charging for water between a meter and rateable value of the property. However, another major difference between being charged a fixed rate and a variable one based on consumption is that of risk. In the latter case you may end up with larger than expected bills due to careless use, dripping taps and, worst of all, hidden leaks. Someone recently received a bill of several thousand pounds and the leak was from a pipe within the bounds of their property so their responsibility. The bill may have been reduced somewhat on appeal.

See also the thread on Zimbabwe for info about water and meters in that country.

To save time I give the same link here -

http://m.allafrica.com/stories/201210080426.html

Anglian Water applied to introduce 'trickle' meters in their area of England, I recall. See below for background...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7829364.stm

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/status.s/wms

[Peter D Williams]

Roger pointed out the difference in charging for water between a meter and rateable value of the property. However, another major difference between being charged a fixed rate and a variable one based on consumption is that of risk. In the latter case you may end up with larger than expected bills due to careless use, dripping taps and, worst of all, hidden leaks. Someone recently received a bill of several thousand pounds and the leak was from a pipe within the bounds of their property so their responsibility. The bill may have been reduced somewhat on appeal.

See also the thread on Zimbabwe for info about water and meters in that country.

To save time I give the same link here -

http://m.allafrica.com/stories/201210080426.html

Anglian Water applied to introduce 'trickle' meters in their area of England, I recall. See below for background...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7829364.stm

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/status.s/wms

I have heard of this hidden leaks or a faulty meter and some one got a bill for thousands but it was caused by a faulty meter blow back turned the meter back to 9999
I intend to get an engineer to check ours for any sign of fault on our water meter

Must go and make a drink bye for now