From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Next financial year's water bill plopped into my email yesterday, which reminded me that "they" had pre-emptively installed a smartmeter over a
year ago.

Since the bill is now -u777.77/year I thought I should probably look into moving from rateable value to metered supply, spoke to them this
afternoon. They don't have any readings phoned-in by it, they were
actually unaware that a meter had been fitted, suggested I send them a
photo of it.

The thing is a good 3ft down a damp hole, and the LoraWAN transmitter
"lump" that bolts onto the mechanical meter blocks the view of the
dials, I can't angle the camera to get a better view.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>

Genius.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 19/02/2026 17:47, Andy Burns wrote:

Next financial year's water bill plopped into my email yesterday, which reminded me that "they" had pre-emptively installed a smartmeter over a
year ago.

Since the bill is now -u777.77/year I thought I should probably look into moving from rateable value to metered supply, spoke to them this afternoon.-a They don't have any readings phoned-in by it, they were actually unaware that a meter had been fitted, suggested I send them a
photo of it.

The thing is a good 3ft down a damp hole, and the LoraWAN transmitter
"lump" that bolts onto the mechanical meter blocks the view of the
dials, I can't angle the camera to get a better view.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>

Genius.

Perhaps these meters are only meant to be read by a *drive by* meter reader. When was the last time you saw one of those.

Luckily, my roadside meter is readable.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-02-19 17:47, Andy Burns wrote:

Next financial year's water bill plopped into my email yesterday, which reminded me that "they" had pre-emptively installed a smartmeter over a
year ago.

Since the bill is now -u777.77/year I thought I should probably look into moving from rateable value to metered supply, spoke to them this afternoon.-a They don't have any readings phoned-in by it, they were actually unaware that a meter had been fitted, suggested I send them a
photo of it.

The thing is a good 3ft down a damp hole, and the LoraWAN transmitter
"lump" that bolts onto the mechanical meter blocks the view of the
dials, I can't angle the camera to get a better view.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>

Genius.

My meter has the transmitter bit fixed to the underside of the hole
cover, so you get a clear view of the meter when the cover is off. Still
hard to photo the LCD screen; was easy with the old dials. It has poor contrast and cycles through different displays.

It took a year from installation for it to start working but now I can
see weekly, daily or hourly usage via Anglian Water's website.

nib
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Timatmarford <tim@marford.uk.com> writes:

Perhaps these meters are only meant to be read by a *drive by* meter
reader. When was the last time you saw one of those.

A bin lorry goes past my house every Monday.
--
Alan J. Wylie https://www.wylie.me.uk/ mailto:<alan@wylie.me.uk>

Dance like no-one's watching. / Encrypt like everyone is.
Security is inversely proportional to convenience
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 19/02/2026 18:39, nib wrote:

On 2026-02-19 17:47, Andy Burns wrote:

Next financial year's water bill plopped into my email yesterday,
which reminded me that "they" had pre-emptively installed a smartmeter
over a year ago.

Since the bill is now -u777.77/year I thought I should probably look
into moving from rateable value to metered supply, spoke to them this
afternoon.-a They don't have any readings phoned-in by it, they were
actually unaware that a meter had been fitted, suggested I send them a
photo of it.

The thing is a good 3ft down a damp hole, and the LoraWAN transmitter
"lump" that bolts onto the mechanical meter blocks the view of the
dials, I can't angle the camera to get a better view.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>

Genius.

My meter has the transmitter bit fixed to the underside of the hole
cover, so you get a clear view of the meter when the cover is off. Still hard to photo the LCD screen; was easy with the old dials. It has poor contrast and cycles through different displays.

It took a year from installation for it to start working but now I can
see weekly, daily or hourly usage via Anglian Water's website.

nib

In theory, I can do that with Severn Trent's website. But they keep
taking that feature offline for weeks on end in order to "improve" it.
It seems to work ok to me on the rare occasions when it *is* online.

Fortunately my meter is indoors under the sink, and the gallonometer is visible, so I can take my own readings. I don't do it every hour though!
--
Cheers,
Roger
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 19/02/2026 17:47, Andy Burns wrote:

Next financial year's water bill plopped into my email yesterday, which reminded me that "they" had pre-emptively installed a smartmeter over a
year ago.

Since the bill is now -u777.77/year I thought I should probably look into moving from rateable value to metered supply, spoke to them this
afternoon. They don't have any readings phoned-in by it, they were
actually unaware that a meter had been fitted, suggested I send them a
photo of it.

The thing is a good 3ft down a damp hole, and the LoraWAN transmitter
"lump" that bolts onto the mechanical meter blocks the view of the
dials, I can't angle the camera to get a better view.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>

Genius.

You might find this of interest: <https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/posts/1678271262743133/>
--
Jeff
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Layman wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>
Genius.

You might find this of interest: <https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/posts/1678271262743133/>

Thanks, but not sure mine has that hinged part, I'll try to attack it
with a cable rod ...



--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 20/02/2026 08:01, Andy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter.jpg>
Genius.

You might find this of interest:
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/posts/1678271262743133/>

Thanks, but not sure mine has that hinged part, I'll try to attack it
with a cable rod ...

Did you scroll through all the comments? The final one or two show
photos where the hinged bit opens (Anonymous participant 253), and what
it looks like when it is hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the
dials beneath. The photos look identical to the one you have.
--
Jeff
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Layman wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

<https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/
posts/1678271262743133/>

Thanks, but not sure mine has that hinged part, I'll try to attack it
with a cable rod ...

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first photo
does indeed look identical to mine

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another look
later ... There was some scrunched-up paperwork down the hole, I'll try
to fish that out.



--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 20/02/2026 09:23, Andy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

<https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/
posts/1678271262743133/>

Thanks, but not sure mine has that hinged part, I'll try to attack it
with a cable rod ...

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first photo
does indeed look identical to mine

It normally only shows "most relevant" and you have to toggle the
drop-down to see all posts.

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another look later ... There was some scrunched-up paperwork down the hole, I'll try
to fish that out.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

David Wade wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first photo
does indeed look identical to mine

It normally only shows "most relevant" and you have to toggle the drop-
down to see all posts.

Yes, I clicked "show more" twice, until I got to the photo by "Terry"

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another
look later ...

The smart "lump" on mine definitely doesn't hinge up, but I discovered
it does spin around, so I could get a better angle on the camera.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter2.jpg>

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

There was some scrunched-up paperwork down the hole,

I'll try to fish that out.

Turns out that was just instructions for installing the telescopic tube
in the pavement.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 20/02/2026 14:58, Andy Burns wrote:

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

Is that a live feed, because right now it's saying 14.524
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Mark Carver wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

The dials read 00014.424

Is that a live feed, because right now it's saying 14.524

<grin>

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 20/02/2026 09:23, Andy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

<https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/
posts/1678271262743133/>

Thanks, but not sure mine has that hinged part, I'll try to attack it
with a cable rod ...

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first photo
does indeed look identical to mine

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another look later ... There was some scrunched-up paperwork down the hole, I'll try
to fish that out.

Probably the manufacturers installation instructions, which have
been ignored by the installer, who 'knows better' :-(

Why do you have a water meter and yet still pay according to the
rateable value ?. I pay about a third of your bill.

How many people are in your house ?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 20/02/2026 14:58, Andy Burns wrote:

David Wade wrote:

-aAndy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first
photo does indeed look identical to mine

It normally only shows "most relevant" and you have to toggle the
drop- down to see all posts.

Yes, I clicked "show more" twice, until I got to the photo by "Terry"

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another
look later ...

The smart "lump" on mine definitely doesn't hinge up, but I discovered
it does spin around, so I could get a better angle on the camera.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter2.jpg>

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

14.4 cubic metres is about what I use over the same period. The
most recent 6 month bill was a bit higher but that is because I
used more water on the garden last summer.

There was some scrunched-up paperwork down the hole,

I'll try to fish that out.

Turns out that was just instructions for installing the telescopic tube
in the pavement.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 20 Feb 2026 at 14:58:46 GMT, Andy Burns wrote:

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter2.jpg>

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

Not that low - about 50L/day.
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 22 Feb 2026 at 19:32:28 GMT, Andrew wrote:

On 20/02/2026 09:23, Andy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

<https://www.facebook.com/groups/112611379309137/posts/1678271262743133/> >>>>

Thanks, but not sure mine has that hinged part, I'll try to attack it
with a cable rod ...

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first photo
does indeed look identical to mine

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another look
later ... There was some scrunched-up paperwork down the hole, I'll try
to fish that out.

Probably the manufacturers installation instructions, which have
been ignored by the installer, who 'knows better' :-(

Why do you have a water meter and yet still pay according to the
rateable value ?.

I assume because they've elected not to pay by use. Until now.

I pay about a third of your bill.

+1

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Andrew wrote:

Why do you have a water meter and yet still pay according to the
rateable value ?.

Because STwater is pre-emptively fitting them, then "doing nothing" afterwards, I had expected them to start pushing moving to the meter,
but apparently they forgot that it had even been fitted.

I pay about a third of your bill.

A few years ago, I paid half, and it felt worthwhile to not worry about
usage.

How many people are in your house ?

Just me.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Andrew wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

14.4 cubic metres is about what I use over the same period. The
most recent 6 month bill was a bit higher but that is because I
used more water on the garden last summer.

Thanks, the rule of thumb seems to be 150 litres/person/day, which would
imply 55 m^3/yea.

I will admit that I've avoided having a meter so that I don't have to
give a second thought about what volume I use ...
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

RJH wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter2.jpg>

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

Not that low - about 50L/day.

Sever Trent claim 150L/day is average.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 22/02/2026 19:34, Andrew wrote:

On 20/02/2026 14:58, Andy Burns wrote:

David Wade wrote:

-aAndy Burns wrote:

Jeff Layman wrote:

Did you scroll through all the comments?

I did (unless FB hides extra comments from non-users?) the first
photo does indeed look identical to mine

It normally only shows "most relevant" and you have to toggle the
drop- down to see all posts.

Yes, I clicked "show more" twice, until I got to the photo by "Terry"

The final one or two show photos where the hinged bit opens
(Anonymous participant 253), and what it looks like when it is
hinged open (Terry Lines) so you can see the dials beneath. The
photos look identical to the one you have.

Not convinced the second photo is the same model, I'll have another
look later ...

The smart "lump" on mine definitely doesn't hinge up, but I discovered
it does spin around, so I could get a better angle on the camera.

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter2.jpg>

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

14.4 cubic metres is about what I use over the same period. The
most recent 6 month bill was a bit higher but that is because I
used more water on the garden last summer.

14 m^3 in 270 days ? Presumably you must wash and shower somewhere else
then ?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 07:47, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

<http://andyburns.uk/misc/smart-water-meter2.jpg>

The dials read 00014.424 which still seems incredibly low considering
the meter was fitted 19/5/2025

Not that low - about 50L/day.

Sever Trent claim 150L/day is average.

Sound about right, we (2 of us) do about 340l/day on average, that
includes garden and patio/driveway jet-washing
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they have
just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

Out of interest, what do your neighbours say about their water meters?
If it is one of their meters, are STWater confident that they have
installed the meter in agreement with s3.(2) of The Water (Meters)
Regulations 1988?

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants it
has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate". They will have
to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter fitting appointment ...

--
Jeff
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y


Jeff Layman wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they have
just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have mistaken a
neighbour's meter as mine.> > Out of interest, what do your neighbours say about their water meters?

One neighbour who was already on a meter before the smart meters were
fitted, has 4 occupants and 3 cars (including a teenage daughter) so
comparing usage not likely to be very helpful.

The other is a couple, they've not switched to the smart meter since
they were fitted, I will offer to read theirs to see if they might save
money.

If it is one of their meters

The meter certainly feeds my house.

are STWater confident that they have installed the meter in
agreement with s3.(2) of The Water (Meters) Regulations 1988?

They didn't ask whether we wanted meters fitted, they told us they were
being fitted, however they did say we wouldn't automatically be enrolled
onto the meters, I did expect they would be remotely reading them all
the same, instead the sub-contractor (Network Plus?) seems to not have provided installation details to ST.


--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 10:09, Mark Carver wrote:

14 m^3 in 270 days ? Presumably you must wash and shower somewhere else
then ?

that's 14,000 litres ...50l per day.

Low, but not impossible
--
I was brought up to believe that you should never give offence if you
can avoid it; the new culture tells us you should always take offence if
you can. There are now experts in the art of taking offence, indeed
whole academic subjects, such as 'gender studies', devoted to it.

Sir Roger Scruton

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23 Feb 2026 at 11:14:45 GMT, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 23/02/2026 10:09, Mark Carver wrote:

14 m^3 in 270 days ? Presumably you must wash and shower somewhere else
then ?

that's 14,000 litres ...50l per day.

Low, but not impossible

Pretty much my consumption. Draw your own conclusions . . . :-)
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they have
just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants it
has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate".-a They will have
to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter fitting
appointment ...

The number of occupants would obviously play into this, but I would love
to know what impact having a home which is detached would have on water
usage.

Am I supposed to turn the tap on more(or less) often than someone in a semi? Greater surface area for evaporation?
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 11:26, RJH wrote:

On 23 Feb 2026 at 11:14:45 GMT, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 23/02/2026 10:09, Mark Carver wrote:

14 m^3 in 270 days ? Presumably you must wash and shower somewhere else
then ?

that's 14,000 litres ...50l per day.

Low, but not impossible

Pretty much my consumption. Draw your own conclusions . . . :-)

Ah, the great unwashed :)
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 19:59, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they
have just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have
mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants it
has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate".-a They will
have to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter fitting
appointment ...

The number of occupants would obviously play into this, but I would love
to know what impact having a home which is detached would have on water usage.

Am I supposed to turn the tap on more(or less) often than someone in a
semi?
Greater surface area for evaporation?

Possibly a detached house will have larger garden using more water or
have more shower facilities - again using more water


--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 23/02/2026 22:45, Charles Hope wrote:

On 23/02/2026 19:59, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they
have just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have
mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants
it has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate".-a They will
have to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter fitting
appointment ...

The number of occupants would obviously play into this, but I would
love to know what impact having a home which is detached would have on
water usage.

Am I supposed to turn the tap on more(or less) often than someone in a
semi?
Greater surface area for evaporation?

Possibly a detached house will have larger garden using more water or
have more shower facilities - again using more water

This is a detatched house - it's smaller than most of our neighbours
semis.
Water the garden??? (You obviously don't live in Wales.)
We haven't watered the garden in the last 25 years, & use rainwater
barrels for the greenhouse.

The number of showers (or baths) isn't relevant.
Consider a house with a single occupant but 3 showers. Will that
occupant shower more often? (repeat the thought experiment for any
number of occupants)
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24 Feb 2026 at 01:53:13 GMT, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 22:45, Charles Hope wrote:

On 23/02/2026 19:59, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they
have just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have
mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants
it has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate". They will
have to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter fitting
appointment ...

The number of occupants would obviously play into this, but I would
love to know what impact having a home which is detached would have on
water usage.

Am I supposed to turn the tap on more(or less) often than someone in a
semi?
Greater surface area for evaporation?

Possibly a detached house will have larger garden using more water or
have more shower facilities - again using more water

This is a detatched house - it's smaller than most of our neighbours
semis.
Water the garden??? (You obviously don't live in Wales.)
We haven't watered the garden in the last 25 years, & use rainwater
barrels for the greenhouse.

The number of showers (or baths) isn't relevant.
Consider a house with a single occupant but 3 showers. Will that
occupant shower more often? (repeat the thought experiment for any
number of occupants)

I'd imagine it's a correlation based on property value and consumption of utiities in general - higher value, higher consumption. And detached
properties /tend/ to be more expensive.

There's also a notion of 'energy decadence' - that consumption increases and awarenesss of consumption decreases in line with wealth.

Of course exceptions exist - some of society's poorest live in some quite high value homes. And plenty of low occupancy in larger homes.

But as a general trend, my guess is that's what they're doing. It may form the basis of a starting point - DD payments maybe. But once the actual trend becomes apparent the water co. should adjust payments in line with actual consumption.
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 01:53, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 22:45, Charles Hope wrote:

On 23/02/2026 19:59, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they
have just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have
mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants
it has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate".-a They
will have to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter
fitting appointment ...

The number of occupants would obviously play into this, but I would
love to know what impact having a home which is detached would have
on water usage.

Am I supposed to turn the tap on more(or less) often than someone in
a semi?
Greater surface area for evaporation?

Possibly a detached house will have larger garden using more water or
have more shower facilities - again using more water

This is a detatched house - it's smaller than most of our neighbours semis. Water the garden???-a (You obviously don't live in Wales.)
We haven't watered the garden in the last 25 years, & use rainwater
barrels for the greenhouse.

The number of showers (or baths) isn't relevant.
Consider a house with a single occupant but 3 showers.-a Will that
occupant shower more often? (repeat the thought experiment for any
number of occupants)

They don't seem to factor in having teenagers in their algorithms,
though when ours left home, consumption of bog paper dropped through the floor.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:

On 24/02/2026 01:53, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 22:45, Charles Hope wrote:

On 23/02/2026 19:59, Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 23/02/2026 09:28, Andy Burns wrote:

RJH wrote:

Andrew wrote:

How many people are in your house ?

Is the fairly critical thing. Thirsty gardens can bump it up too.

STwater requested last week that I send a photo of the meter, they
have just replied denying it exists, and tell me that I must have
mistaken a neighbour's meter as mine.

They claim they can "calculate" what my metered bill would be from
knowing whether my house is detached or not, and how many occupants >>>>> it has, they seem determined to avoid the word "estimate".-a They
will have to send out a surveyor who will then arrange a meter
fitting appointment ...

The number of occupants would obviously play into this, but I would
love to know what impact having a home which is detached would have
on water usage.

Am I supposed to turn the tap on more(or less) often than someone in
a semi?
Greater surface area for evaporation?

Possibly a detached house will have larger garden using more water or
have more shower facilities - again using more water

This is a detatched house - it's smaller than most of our neighbours semis. >> Water the garden???-a (You obviously don't live in Wales.)
We haven't watered the garden in the last 25 years, & use rainwater
barrels for the greenhouse.

The number of showers (or baths) isn't relevant.
Consider a house with a single occupant but 3 showers.-a Will that
occupant shower more often? (repeat the thought experiment for any
number of occupants)

They don't seem to factor in having teenagers in their algorithms,
though when ours left home, consumption of bog paper dropped through the floor.

Not down the pan thenrCa? ;-)

Tim
--
Please don't feed the trolls
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:26:38 +0000, alan_m <junk@admac.myzen.co.uk>
wrote:

On 23/02/2026 11:26, RJH wrote:

On 23 Feb 2026 at 11:14:45 GMT, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 23/02/2026 10:09, Mark Carver wrote:

14 m^3 in 270 days ? Presumably you must wash and shower somewhere else >>>> then ?

that's 14,000 litres ...50l per day.

Low, but not impossible

Pretty much my consumption. Draw your own conclusions . . . :-)

Ah, the great unwashed :)

Some folk have a shower every 6 months whether they need it or not :)
--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Thu, 2/19/2026 1:46 PM, Alan J. Wylie wrote:

Timatmarford <tim@marford.uk.com> writes:

Perhaps these meters are only meant to be read by a *drive by* meter
reader. When was the last time you saw one of those.

A bin lorry goes past my house every Monday.

But the transmission device on this water meter says LoRaWAN (as in Wide Area Network).
This is the first time I've heard of LoRa being used for metering. Think how many
receivers would need to be spread across the countryside to do this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoRa

... protocol that wirelessly connects battery-operated devices to the Internet.

And that suggests it's not like the "lorry driving past" version. There's no particular reason a water meter would have a "full stack" for a protocol
(not if you expect the battery to last ten years).

The transmission might not be in plaintext, so while you could
listen for the signal (with say, a HackRF), there's no guarantee
you will see the meter register value as a bit pattern.

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/decoding-the-iot-lora-protocol-with-an-rtl-sdr/

There's a mention of an application here.

https://www.iotinsider.com/industries/communications/10-years-of-lorawan-lora-alliance-shares-ambitions/

"Currently member company Netmore is working with Yorkshire Water to replace 1.3 million water meters
across Yorkshire, UK, and will be using NetmorerCOs LoRaWAN network.
"

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Paul wrote:

the transmission device on this water meter says LoRaWAN (as in Wide Area Network).
This is the first time I've heard of LoRa being used for metering. Think how many
receivers would need to be spread across the countryside to do this.

I don't know whether STwater operates their own network of LoRaWAN
receivers, or uses e.g. thethingsnetwork.org ?

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2