Very high water usage?

tres · 26 Aug 2017 at 14:55

Just got the first water bill at a new build property - 60 units for 6 weeks!!

I am at a loss how it is that high. It's just the two of us in a three bed house. Showers daily but no bath, no dishwasher.

I'm the only one in so made sure I didn't use any water for two hours, and read the meter before and after - no usage.

How on earth are we using so much? Estimated usage for us is 85 units a YEAR!

Any ideas?

ANDARIAL · 26 Aug 2017 at 15:14

Wouldn`t be the first time the waterboard???hooked up the meter to somebody elses property as well or even the street :eek:

Try checking again when the neighbours are home at bathtime?

Glaucus · 26 Aug 2017 at 15:22

Did you get a reading when you moved in? And did you take a reading for this bill, And is that's what on the bill.

Or unlikely with a new build but do you have a power shower, they can use more water than baths.

MissChief · 26 Aug 2017 at 15:24

tres said:
Just got the first water bill at a new build property - 60 units for 6 weeks!!

I am at a loss how it is that high. It's just the two of us in a three bed house. Showers daily but no bath, no dishwasher.

I'm the only one in so made sure I didn't use any water for two hours, and read the meter before and after - no usage.

How on earth are we using so much? Estimated usage for us is 85 units a YEAR!

Any ideas?

Is it an actual reading? There should be a meter number on the bill and on the meter, make sure they match. Also put every tap on in the house, run the washing machine and flush every toilet then check the meter, it should be going like the clappers.

tres · 26 Aug 2017 at 16:10

Actual reading from the landlord when we moved in (7 units, sounds fair considering it's a new build), actual 67 now...

I'm going to watch it this evening and maybe someone else is plumbed in!

HungryHippos · 26 Aug 2017 at 17:35

Dunno if it helps but I moved into a new build almost 2 months ago. 3 bed house but just me here. Water meter started at 1 unit now at 11.5.

Glaucus · 26 Aug 2017 at 18:21

Bit late but you should always check the meters yourself when moving in.

JamesDaniel · 28 Aug 2017 at 05:23

Glaucus said:
Bit late but you should always check the meters yourself when moving in.

Yes,,,exactly. It is our duty to check the meters. Sometimes the one who come for checking the meter reading might bluff us with wrong meter bills.

BDEE · 28 Aug 2017 at 12:23

You should do a leak test:

1. Take a reading. Wait 30 minutes. Do not use any water. Take a reading. If the meter has gone up, you have an issue somewhere with either the internal or external plumbing. If it hasn't gone up, everything is normal.
If your reading has gone up then:
2. Turn off you INTERNAL stop tap. Take a reading. Wait 30 minutes. Take a reading. If it hasn't gone up then it would appear you have an internal leak. If it has then it is likely there is an external leak.
If your reading goes up:
2. Turn off your EXTERNAL stop tap. Take a reading. Wait 30 minutes. Take a reading. There is no way you should see an increase, but if it does then it might be an issue between the meter and your external stop tap.

MassiveJim · 29 Aug 2017 at 12:46

BDEE said:
You should do a leak test:

1. Take a reading. Wait 30 minutes. Do not use any water. Take a reading. If the meter has gone up, you have an issue somewhere with either the internal or external plumbing. If it hasn't gone up, everything is normal.
If your reading has gone up then:
2. Turn off you INTERNAL stop tap. Take a reading. Wait 30 minutes. Take a reading. If it hasn't gone up then it would appear you have an internal leak. If it has then it is likely there is an external leak.
If your reading goes up:
2. Turn off your EXTERNAL stop tap. Take a reading. Wait 30 minutes. Take a reading. There is no way you should see an increase, but if it does then it might be an issue between the meter and your external stop tap.

He has already done this did you not read the OP ?

Psycho Sonny · 29 Aug 2017 at 15:18

there is someone living in your attic. they come out when you leave the house to have a munch, shower, use the toilet, fill up their water bottles, etc.

don't leave your home for 2 weeks, should force them out.

Woden · 29 Aug 2017 at 15:22

Psycho Sonny said:
there is someone living in your attic. they come out when you leave the house to have a munch, shower, use the toilet, fill up their water bottles, etc.

don't leave your home for 2 weeks, should force them out.

I'll just come out when he is asleep.

Semple · 29 Aug 2017 at 15:42

Although tedious, you should try and track it daily for maybe 2 weeks. You might surprise yourself with how much water is being used.

Psycho Sonny · 29 Aug 2017 at 15:59

his wifes probably having a 50 minute shower to wash her hair, etc every day.

Destination · 29 Aug 2017 at 16:43

Btw saying no dishwasher isn't a major thing, modern dishwashers use v little water in their process.
Ours can use six or twelve litres on a cycle depending if eco is selected or not, not much more than a couple of basins of water, which isn't much considering manual washing followed by rinsing uses a fair bit.

Won't help you OP, but if you had zero usage during your test, then I would say the initial meter reading is incorrect, or else the builders have been using your outside tap to build all the other houses on site.

HungryHippos · 29 Aug 2017 at 16:44

Possible it's also chewing through water at a much faster rate than it should be. I.e the counter going up 5 times faster than it should be?