I want a water meter

In the last 15 years I have tried and failed (twice) to get a water meter installed in my house.  I am a single middle aged ranting woman who doesn't actually use a lot of water in the big scheme of things.  I've been told that I can't have a water meter so I get a 'single person discount'.  I'm not actually sure why I can't have a water meter.  All my neighbours have one.  So why can't I?

My water bills are almost £30 per month.  I live by myself.  I do not have a bath, (only a shower), I don't have a dishwasher, I don't have a hose pipe or a sprinkler, I don't use the washing machine every day.

I am paying a fortune for water that I am not using.  Living in the South West we are surrounded by water and yet we have one of the highest water bills in the country.  Why?

Anyway, I can't remember when I last applied to have a water meter but it must be a good few years ago now. So I thought I'd have another go.  As I said above................. all my neighbours have one so why can't I?

Years ago I think I just phoned 'South West Water'; they sent someone out and then told me I couldn't have a water meter.  Oh well, things move on..................... 

I've just gone online and now there is a form to fill out.  The form asks one questions such as; 'How many times do you flush the toilet in one day?'  Well I guess that depends on whether one is in for the whole day or is out at work or how much coffee or wine one has drunk????  How often do you use a hose pipe or a sprinkler or a watering can?  Well, I don't have a hose pipe or a sprinkler................... but yes if it's a hot summer I might use a watering can to water the plants on my balcony every day.  How often do you use the washing machine?  OK that's a bit easier - prob twice a week.

I haven't a clue why I've been turned down twice for a water meter.  As I say, my house is exactly the same as my neighbours.  I think 'South West Water' just told me I couldn't have one and I accepted it.  I accepted it because they are the 'so called professionals' and must know what they are doing.  And also they gave me a 'single person discount' because I live alone.  However, it's only recently that I've found out that my other single friends in the South West, who are on a water meter, only pay approximately £30 for three months.  #seriouslyannoyed

To be honest, I was happy to get a 'single person discount'.  I really believed that I was getting a 'good deal'.  I didn't want to go down the route of 'not flushing the toilet' and not 'watering a few plants' because it was going to cost me more.  I really, really, really do not want to turn into one of these people who is paranoid about how much water they use.

I want to be able to flush the toilet as many times as I want and I want to water my plants and I want to leave my dishes soaking in the sink and I want to use my washing machine whenever I want and I want to run the tap when I'm cleaning my teeth and I want to power wash my balcony every now and again and I want to wash my dog when she's dirty. 

............... And I want to be able to just turn on the tap and not worry about how much it's costing me.

BUT do you know what?!!!!................

.................After talking to loads of other people who have water meters........................ I'm definitely paying way  too much even with a single person discount.

I NEED A WATER METER!  And I am going to move heaven and earth to make sure I get one.

#SWWyoucantforbmeofanylonger

Beggars and homeless people

Today I am going to have a rant about all the 'homeless' people who are pulling at our heartstrings because they are seemingly out in the cold with no where to go.

In the last couple of days I have been walking around in a Scottish city.  It has been absolutely freezing and 'Beast from the East' has certainly made it's presence known.  The buses stopped running, the schools were closed and we were on 'red alert', meaning that no one should go out unless it was absolutely essential.

Why then were all (OK probably a slight exaggeration) the homeless people still sitting on their bits of cardboard with their usual signs saying that they had fallen on hard times and needed to make enough money for a hostel for the night?!!

It has been absolutely freezing over the last few days and what I can't understand is why these people do not go to the shelters that have been set up for them.  And then I thought........................  they have no money, they have no phones, they have no access to the internet so they have no knowledge that they could actually go somewhere warm for the night.

I have to admit; when I see homeless people sitting on the streets of a big city I usually just ignore them.  I read an article, not that long ago, that a lot of the beggars in Scottish cities take the train in from places like Livingston everyday and then sit on the streets of Edinburgh and Glasgow.....................  And make more than £1000 per week.  That's one hell of a lot of money for just sitting around, even if it is cold?!  And apparently they get more if they have a dog curled up beside them??!!  #Imobviouslyinthewrongprofession

...................How many of you reading this RANT make that much money in a week???

The trouble is............................. how does one differienate between the ones who obviously know 'how to work it' and the ones who are in genuine need?  I have to say, rightly or wrongly, I normally just ignore them all. 

Yesterday, I actually spoke to two people who were begging.  I told them of a church that had opened its doors to anyone who was spending a night on the streets.  I told them where to go.  It was less than a 10 min walk away.  Apparently a lot of them won't go to these places because they have dogs.  Not sure if the place I was suggesting accepted dogs or not,  but the two people I spoke to didn't have dogs.  Or should I say; they didn't have dogs when I spoke to them.  I've since found out that a lot of these homeless/beggar people 'share' their dogs. Apparently, seeing an animal in need sends out very emotive messages.

I didn't give the two people I spoke to any money.  When I told each of these two people where they could get shelter from 'Beast from the East'; both of them just grunted at me and pretty much ignored me.

I feel I've done my bit.............................

.........................But perhaps I'm missing the point here.  I don't know??!!

Why would people, if they were genuinely homeless and cold and hungry with no money, not want to go to somewhere where they could be warm, have a bed and be fed??????????