A higher water bill does not automatically mean that something has gone wrong. It does mean that the movement should be understood and reconciled with the available billing, consumption and site information.
A Higher Bill Can Have Several Causes
When an organisation receives an unexpectedly high water bill, the immediate assumption may be that consumption has increased or a billing error has occurred.
Either explanation may be possible, but neither should be accepted without looking at the supporting information.
A water bill can move because of changes in:
The volume of water recorded or estimated
The tariff or charging rate
Standing or fixed charges
Wastewater assumptions
Surface-water or highway-drainage charges
The period covered by the invoice
Previous underbilling or account adjustments
The premises, meter or services associated with the account
The key question is not simply whether the total is higher. It is which part of the bill has changed and why.
Has Recorded Consumption Increased?
Where a premises is metered, a higher bill may reflect a higher volume of recorded consumption.
Possible operational explanations include:
Increased production
Higher occupancy
Extended opening hours
New equipment or processes
Seasonal activity
Building work
Irrigation or grounds maintenance
Additional cleaning or catering activity
Leakage or continuous consumption
The consumption movement should be compared with what has actually happened at the site.
An increase linked to a known operational change may be reasonable. An increase that cannot be matched to any change in the organisation may justify further investigation.
Has an Estimate Been Replaced by an Actual Reading?
An unusually high invoice can sometimes arise when a new actual reading follows a period of estimated billing.
The resulting adjustment may relate to consumption accumulated across several billing periods. It should not automatically be assumed that the whole increase arose during the latest period.
Consider checking:
The previous and current meter readings
Whether each reading is actual or estimated
The dates attached to the readings
How many previous bills used estimates
Whether the meter serial number shown matches the meter at the premises
Whether a meter exchange has taken place
Regular meter reading is important to accurate billing, and MOSL’s Meter Reads guidance describes meter-read data as an important part of ensuring that customers are billed correctly. [mosl.co.uk]
Have the Rates or Charging Structure Changed?
Even if recorded consumption remains similar, the total bill may change if the applicable rates, tariffs or fixed charges have changed.
Review whether:
A new charging year has started
A different tariff is shown
Standing charges have changed
The account has moved between charging bands
Retail charges or margins have changed
A discount or previous arrangement has ended
New services or charging elements have appeared
Trade Effluent sample strengths have changed
Do not compare only the total amounts. Compare the units, rates, standing charges and individual service elements.
Does the Bill Cover the Same Period?
A higher total may simply reflect a longer charging period.
Check the number of days covered and whether the invoice includes:
A previous balance
A credit reversal
A catch-up adjustment
Backdated charges
A cancelled and rebilled period
More than one meter or supply
Comparisons are more meaningful when made on a like-for-like basis.
Has the Site Changed?
Billing records may require review after a premises is extended, divided, refurbished, acquired, sold or partially vacated.
Changes to occupancy and operations can affect consumption. Physical changes may also alter which meters, accounts and services should relate to an organisation.
Where several events occur at around the same time, it is important to distinguish between a genuine increase in use and a change in the way the account has been configured or charged.
A higher bill is a prompt for explanation, not proof of either increased usage or an incorrect charge.
What Should You Gather?
A useful initial review may include:
The latest bill
Comparable earlier bills
Meter-reading history
Current meter photographs, where safely obtainable
Operational or occupancy information
Details of recent site changes
Relevant correspondence
Tariff or charging information
These records can help establish whether the increase is understandable or whether further questions should be raised.
How WTR Utilities Can Help
WTR Utilities can examine the relationship between bills, rates, meter readings, consumption patterns and relevant site information.
We do not begin by assuming the increase is wrong. We help establish what changed, whether the explanation is supported by the available evidence and whether further investigation would be proportionate.
Important information: This article provides general information about non-household water and wastewater arrangements. Individual accounts, properties and charging arrangements vary. The content should not be treated as confirmation that any particular charge is correct or incorrect, or as legal advice on a lease or property agreement.