Water bills

Sounds high per month but it’s usually billed quarterly. €60 a quarter would be about right.  Most of your bill is standing charge in advance for supply and drainage. It may also include your rubbish collection charge which the water company collects on behalf of the council. 

Shaun

Hi. Our last 2 bills for our 2 bed appartment have been 65€ per quarter . The apartment has been occupied for about 3 weeks over the 6 month period

Was about to post a water bill question when I found these posts.  We've just had our first bill for our three bedroom house and it's nearer €150.  We're not sure if it's including April when the vendor still owned ut, but even so it seems excessive.  We have been in residence for about 18 days only and turn off the water when we're not there.  Any views please

It does sound high but it depends on the billing period. If you post a scan or photo of the relevant part of the bill then that would help.

Thanks Jim.  Here it is!

No it isn't!

Sorry but I added it to my original question by mistake.  Hope you can see it!

It looks about right. You have used 9 units of water which doesn’t seem excessive but most of your water bill is standing charge and rubbish collection. That part is paid quarterly in advance so you are being charged from May to October - that’s what makes it look expensive. You’re paying 5 months not 3. It’ll seem more reasonable when you get your October bill. 

I had the same concern when I got my first water bill. 

Shaun

Sorry, I missed that.

The billed period is 8th May to 1st July, so doesn't include charges incurred by the previous owner.

The bill includes three months basura - refuse collection. For some reason I've never understood, Hidraqua collect the basura tax on behalf of Orihuela town hall, instead of the town hall including it in the IBI - council tax - bill.

Your basura charge is €27.82 whereas we pay €13.25. However we live in a rural area with collections three times a week, whereas I assume that in your area there will be more people using each bin and needing more frequent collections.

Our charges per cubic meter of water are the same.

You're on the 13 mm (size of incoming supply pipe) tariff, as we are, which means you're on the lowest feasible tariff.

You are paying a service fee for water of €36.79 plus IVA, whereas we pay €23.01.

You are paying meter rental of €2.16 plus IVA, whereas we pay €1.35.

You are paying a drainage fee of €10.94 plus IVA, whereas we pay €6.84.

You are paying a waste water treatment fee of €21.89, whereas we pay €20.91.

What is needed now is for someone else in your area to advise if they are paying the same fees as yourself.

As with electricity, the fixed charges for water mean that you pay a considerable amount even if you've no water consumption.

Conclusion - the bill looks correct, subject to checking the fees for your area.