Metering

We aim to read the meter to your property at least once a year. If we have not been able to take a meter reading, we will bill you based on estimated consumption. If you would prefer to be billed on the volume registered by your meter, you can take a reading (if it’s safe to do so) and submit the actual meter read.

Please note the meter is the property of Last Mile Water regardless of its location and it is a criminal offence to tamper with or remove it.

Reading the meter is very easy. A typical water meter will have the following dials on it:

The black and white numbers.  These numbers show how many cubic metres of water you’ve used. We calculate your bill using this reading.

Red and white numbers. These numbers show fractions of one cubic metre.  We do not need these numbers to calculate your bill.

If you wish to submit your own meter reading please do so using our online form.

You can apply to us in writing to have your meter moved. We are not obliged to move it but if we feel that it can be relocated we will confirm this to you in writing and advise you of the costs involved.

Water meters are extremely reliable and accurate, however if a meter isn’t working properly it tends to under record rather than over record. So, where meter readings are higher than expected, this generally means more water has been used since the last meter reading or you’ve got a leak on your water supply pipe, or inside your home.

If you don’t think your meter is working properly, please contact our Billing Team 0333 000 0113. Further details can also be found in our Code of Practice

If you have a leak that is on our system, you may be entitled to a leakage allowance.  Details of how leaks are dealt with and how the leakage allowance works are contained in our Code of Practice.

Most of the properties we serve are supplied by a water meter.
Metered customers pay:

• A charge for the quantity of water used, based on the amount of water used as measured by the water meter
• A standing (fixed) charge which covers the cost of reading and maintaining the meter
• A charge for water recycling (including sewerage), for activities like watering the garden and car washing. if you can demonstrate that less than the % charged by the upstream water company returns to our sewer, please contact us to discuss whether a greater ‘allowance’ is appropriate.
• A standing charge for water recycling/ sewerage services, which cover the costs of maintaining the sewerage system and of disposing of any surface water drainage.

These charges should all be reflected on your bill.

Although no usage charges will apply to properties that are unoccupied, standing charges will still apply. These charges will continue to accrue unless a specific request has been submitted to us to turn off your supply.

If your property is not connected to a surface water drain, we will not charge you for this service. If you believe you are being incorrectly charged, then please contact the Billing Team on 0333 000 0113.