High water bills

Best check that you don’t have a leak between the meter and your property, as, sadly that will be your responsibility. If that is the case you can try to negotiate a reduction with the water company.. whatever you do, don’t leave it.

Goodluck

Our bill is always about 47 bimonthly. That sounds an awful lot. Check your meter turn off the water and contact your insurers 

Looks like your consumption is equal to, or less than 15m3. Aqualia will charge for 15m3 as a minimum even though you may have consumed less than that or even if you turn off the supply.

If you use more than 15m3 up to 25m3 its at a higher rate, then another rate for up to 50m3, over 50m3 and you get clobbered.

On top of that they will charge the same 15m3 (or whatever your consumption is) for sanitation at a fixed rate per m3.

On top of that you pay for connection charges both for water and sanitation.

All this plus IVA.

On top of that they charge a fixed rate for garbage collection!! (What do we actually get for our council tax???)

Back in early August, Aqualia charged me (via direct debit) over € 1,300 - covering a consumption of 577m3, enough to half fill an Olympic swimming pool - I nearly fell on the floor.

I only new I had a leak when Aqualia turned up to turn off our water supply.

Due to August being holiday time, I could not get a company in to deal with the problem. However, I managed to get a company in to identify the leak was underground. They put in a temporary surface pipe and isolated the main water pipe with leak.

In September the underground leak was located, excavation and repairs carried out.

The insurance company have coughed up for all temporary & final works to repair - around € 1,650 - now waiting for my claim for the water wastage - another € 1,500 or so.

The moral of all this is - I have cancelled direct debit and download their bills via app and pay by bank transfer - this gives a chance to question bills before payment if required.

Secondly, I take meter readings twice a week and put the readings into a spreadsheet - I know how much we have consumed to date and the ongoing cost since I know now exactly how they calculate their bills. Ensure when I take readings, there is no water demand in the house to make sure the meter is stagnant.

Thirdly, make sure your house insurance covers for such events.