On water meters: Worth it for gardeners, or not?

[Kristen]

Why, for example, are new houses not fitted with solar panels as standard?

I'm pleased to say that all the new "affordable housing" [sorry if I have the incorrect term] around here, built in the last few years, has both solar panels and some sort of ground-source heat pump. Not sure the occupants have had any training as to how to use it, as I see windows open during the winter and complaints that it is "too hot", so maybe it is a communal system with insufficient control ...

[Kristen]

If you have a large garden such as yours Kristen, you can get an exemption from the sewerage charge for that part of your bill that is non domestic. Takes a bit of negotiation with the water board.

Very useful to know Bill, thanks; I'll store that away in case I bump into someone who could benefit (or if the mains-drains get installed within spitting distance of my house )

[Kirk]

Meters are difficult to work out.
Without the garden aspect they are worth it, however with a garden they may or may not be. It will depend on the amount used which in turn depends on other factors - mulching, depth of beds and pots and what is in them.

One "advantage" of a meter is that you pay for what you use and are exempt from some restrictions, at least the first stage - when there is a drought. The principle being if you want to throw it over the garden that is your choice as you are paying for every litre you throw over the garden.

If there is no real drought then you collect water, if however there is a good drought then the collected water runs out and by rights using mains water is not an option, unless metered.

So it may be a case of a meter is a "good" thing.
If no drought then it does not matter, if there is a drought then you have the mains to fall back on.

Equally if you have meter installed as mine was you question it all. My meter was installed in the pipe work after a filter that has a drain tap on it. Meaning I could open the drain tap and get mains water before the meter.

[Potstubsdustbins]

'Hose pipe' bans do not necessarily mean you can't water the garden. It is perfectly legal to fill a watering can and use that. If you have a fish pond you can put your hose pipe into that to fill it as fish are classed as livestock. It is then legal to dip your watering can into the fish pond and water the garden.

The idea is to restrict not prevent the use of potable water.

[Herbsandveg]

A very belated reply to everyone who replied to my question. I'm still weighing up the for and against arguments on this, and have asked the water board to send me some information. I'll post my eventual decision here once I finally make one...

Many thanks again to all...

Graham

[veggiechicken]

How much does it cost to have a meter installed, H&V?

[Herbsandveg]

Water meter cost

How much does it cost to have a meter installed, H&V?

Hello again, VeggieC

The girl at the water company told me it'd be free so long as it wasn't such a big job to fit one, and they didn't have re-route the M1 in the process or move the border with Lancashire 5 miles further West (I would actually have been in agreement with the latter point, but thought I'd best keep that one to myself).

[veggiechicken]

Go for it - you won't regret it

[Alison]

I hardly use any potable water in the garden, just seems wrong unless I really have to. Can't at the lottie anyway as there isn't a supply but have always had loads of butts and been a bit mulcher.