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What are metered water and waste water standing charges and how do you reduce them?

 Author: Graham Mann, Water Audit Expert.

Metered water and waste water standing charges are based on the size of the water meter which in most instances is the same size as the water supply pipe diameter, the bigger the water meter the more you are charged.

Example: – In Scotland a 50mm water meter standing charge is £ 2,673 per year for water and £ 2,803 per year for waste water = £ 5,476 per annum for the standing charge alone.

Example: – In Southern Water a 50mm water meter standing charge is £ 148 per year for water and £ 545 per year for waste water = £ 693 per annum for the standing charge.

A considerable difference North to South and in fact the largest metered standing charges are in Scotland where water and waste water is supplied by Scottish Water / Business Stream.

A picture of a 50mm meter is attached, the meter size 50mm is in a raised figure under the dial – 50 – the arrow below the number is the direction of the water flow. If you were to downsize your water meter by 50% to say a 25mm meter the reduced annual standing charges would be

Example: – In Scotland a 25mm water meter standing charge is £ 425 per year for water and £ 445 per year for waste water = £ 870 per annum for the standing charge.

Example: – In Southern Water a 25mm water meter standing charge is £ 26.44  per year for water and £ 54.70 per year for waste water = £ 81.14 per annum for the standing charge.

Obviously reducing your metered standing charges in Scotland has more impact so be advised to check our your standing charges in each water company area, the main water companies with large standing charges are: –

* Scottish water / Business Stream.

* Northumbrian Water.

* Thames Water.

* Portsmouth Water

* Wessex Water.

* Bristol Water.

* Dee Valley water.

There are sizes above and below a 50mm meter and if you are seeking to reduce the size of your existing water meter to reduce your annual standing charges most sites can reduce meter size by 50% giving on average a 50% reduction in standing charges or more. Take expert advice from a water consultancy firm in order to guide you through the process and help you complete a feasibility study. There are normally charges to downsize water meters levied by the water companies, however as a rule of thumb the payback is 6 months or less.

If you have hydrants or fire supplies connected to your metered water supply you can still apply to downsize your meter but it will be classed as a notional downsize, if applicable the existing meter will stay in situ and the standing charges will be reduced to the applicable meter size dependant on actual use, flow rate and demand on paper so will not effect fire capability.