Unsecure chicken perches

[tara]

I live in a area which over the next few years southern water are putting in water metres.I really dont want want a metre l have 7 ducks and 11 chickens so l use a water daily for my ducks to keep there bathing water clean and washing there run out as they are very messy.I fear if l am made to have a metre then l will be scared to care for them as l do now.Is there anyway because l have ducks that l could be left how l am.Any advice would be great or if you have a water metre and ducks and chooks

[Miss Millies Chicken]

I dont know if they can force you to have a water meter but have you thought about saving rain water in tanks. This would be suitable cleaning out the runs etc.

[tara]

l tryed years ago saving water but getting the water to the run is a nightmare l have a badly fitted roof that leaks amwaiting for other half to sort it out.

[Lesley]

We didn't have a choice as the meter was already in place when we moved - and we have a smallholding.

 

You can use rainwater collected in butts for cleaning as has been said but don't use it for drinking water as it may be contaminated by wild bird droppings off any roof or guttering.

 

If you make savings in the house it may be easier and probably won't make much difference overall and you'll still be able to care for your ducks as you do now. Check out the water authority's website for water saving devices such as the Hippos you pop in the toilet cistern and special fittings for showers. Flush the loo after two wees etc.

[Alis girls]

We have a meter already in when we got the house - it does make you more careful. I do laundry daily and sometimes 2 loads, and the dishwasher goes on once (twice over Christmas ) and I dont think our bills are any higher. Makes you appreciate the clear wet stuff more

[WitchHazel]

As well as the ideas already posted, there may be something you can do on your sewerage charges. Sewerage charges are base don the total amount of water that is used, it is assumed that all water goes through the household drains and therefore through the treatment system.

 

If you truly believe that a large part of your water is used from the garden tap, you can get the water company to install a measuring device. At the end of the measuring period, if it is shown that you use a sgnificant proportion of your water in the garden, so it drains through the garden, then you may be able to get the seweraga part of your bill reduced.

[chicken bark]

I'm on a water meter and have ducks and to be honest I don't think it is that expensive. I don't have much to compare it with because the last 3 houses I have lived in (over the last 11 years) have all had meters.

[tara]

Thankyou everybody will have to get my waster but of my mum as she's not using it. l pay £51 a month out at mo wonder how much it will go up.

[chicken bark]

I don't pay that much but I also don't pay sewage costs which seems to make up the bulk of most bills.

 

I've just checked and for the last quarter I paid £33.

[Angie]

I use £29 a month, but mostly just me, the chicks and the garden.

[Olly]

I pay £12 a month with a meter - that's just for me, but I do use the dishwasher and washing machine quite a bit, and use the hose to clean the Eglu out. I really think water-butts are the way to go, at least for gardening purposes; and I don't water the garden, only pots and things in the greenhouse. Your water bill sounds high tara - you might find a water meter isn't such a bad thing, and at least it gives you some control over what you spend.

[Patricia W]

We have a rented house in addition to our own house. They are both identical apart from the fact that there are two of us in ours and four young people always washing and showering etc in the rented house. The rented house is metered and we are not. We pay far less with the meter than we do with ours - so we are going over to a meter to save money.

[Tiggy]

As well as the ideas already posted, there may be something you can do on your sewerage charges. Sewerage charges are base don the total amount of water that is used, it is assumed that all water goes through the household drains and therefore through the treatment system.

 

If you truly believe that a large part of your water is used from the garden tap, you can get the water company to install a measuring device. At the end of the measuring period, if it is shown that you use a sgnificant proportion of your water in the garden, so it drains through the garden, then you may be able to get the seweraga part of your bill reduced.

 

 

oooh thats a good idea I have to say that we have saved hundreds of £ in the 13 years since switching to metered water, we were paying £600 a quarter even when the kids were there all the time our bills dropped to £20 a month. the water company really didnt want to put the meter in. Ive got water buts attatched to the 4 corners of the house, one drains straight into the pond, Ive got one attached to my WIR, I use avairy cleanse & give it to the chicks. they have been fine with it. My cats prefer rain water too. since having the meter OH is more careful, re uses cooking water, turns taps off , jumps into the bath after me (Im not that smelly ) The bill hasnt gone up at all for ages

Edited January 17, 2011 by Guest

[Bramble]

Hello! I have a water meter in my current house and also had one where I lived before. My water bills come to about £120 per year, much much much less than I would pay without a meter. I am careful with water (probably more than I would be if I didn't have a meter), but don't regret having a meter (not that I had a choice in either house), I think I could use three times more water than I do and still pay less than if I was on standard "rates". Hopefully it won't be anything like as bad as you fear? Good luck!