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A water meter is the best way to take control of your water bills, helping you to save water and cut business costs. Castle Water makes it easy to submit your meter reading without needing to know where your meter is or what the current reading is at all times. Our team makes it easier to report any meter issues and even help with meter installation.
Just like electricity and gas meters, business water meters have a display that shows how much water is being used at the premises. Meter readings make it possible to give you an accurate bill based on your actual usage.
If you do not have a water meter and would like to inquire about getting one installed, please contact us.
Most non-household customers will have a water meter. These meters are used to measure the amount of water a business uses over a given period. Depending on the size and nature of your business, you may have one or more meters, and these can vary in size and location. Sometimes it can be frustrating when you don’t know where your meter is.
For many small to medium-sized organisations, the meter can be found inside the premises, often next to where the water pipe enters the property. Occasionally, your meter may be located outside the premises in a meter chamber or underground meter box.
Larger organisations may have external meters which can be found in meter chambers or within a meter house or plant room.
These chambers typically have a circular or square type cover, which is easily identified by having the letter “W” or water stamped on the face of the chamber lid. The lid is easily removable to allow access to the meter.
If you have a meter, your water bill will be based on actual reads. Where a bill is generated before the next reading is taken, it is common to use estimated reads based on your most recent actual read.
Your meter will be checked and read at least once a year, so it helps to know where your meter is. You can also provide your own meter reads online or over the phone. It’s essential to submit regular meter readings where possible so that you only pay for the water you use and will not be overbilled.
Save up to 80% on your fixed water charges
Automated Meter Reading (AMR) allows your supplier to take meter reads remotely without having to know where your meter is. Some advantages of AMR are:
Although AMR installation can be costly, the savings are worthwhile for businesses using a large amount of water or where there is a need to monitor water consumption over several premises. For AMR installation help, please click here.
If you do not have a meter, you will typically pay:
Charges are based on the rateable value of the property under the 1973 Valuation Act. The Valuation Office Agency gives all non-households in England and Wales a rateable value. This is a professional assessment of the annual rental value of your business property on a specific date. The values are updated every five years.
In Scotland, you will also be charged based on the Rateable Value of your business property if you do not have a water meter.
From 1 April 2018, your charges for unmetered premises will be calculated using the same valuation that councils use for business rates.
This change has been made to make charges fairer and will affect unmetered water and waste charges as well as road and property drainage charges.
Changes will be phased in over three years in equal annual cash steps from 1 April 2018.
Installing or replacing a water meter can help you reduce water consumption and save money. You can find out if you are eligible for a water meter by contacting us.
A meter measures the water you use – so you only pay for your actual consumption.
Once you know how much water your business is using it makes it easier to identify leaks or pinpoint where you can cut back. In turn, this can help you lower your water bill. Plus, if you heat your water, or your water forms part of a business process, you could save on energy costs too.