water rates

[cat5]

although our holiday cottage is only on septic tank, we did have mains drainage brought up to our house when this was going on in the village for future connection. However, although our water consumption is miniscule, as we have only managed to get over twice this year, we are being charged full rates as if we were actually connected. Can anybody tell me if this is right, or could I claim some back.

[Quillan]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I can only assume that it must be different in other parts of France so I can only go on how it works where I live.

We pay nothing to have the water delivered i.e. not 'standing charge' so therefore we don't have a water rate. We have a water meter and are charged for water in and we have a fosse septic. The first bill ever was for water in and water out. I visited the mayor and told him we have only water in as we have a fosse septic and he said he would send us an amended bill. The new bill was half the previous as where I live the cost of water out is the same as water in.

If you don't have a meter and are charged a standard annual rate you might ask if you can have a meter which should resolve the issue in future. If you pay a standing charge and then per cubic metre (via a meter) in then I doubt if you will get a reduction in the standing charge rate as logically you are connected to the water mains all the time be you there or not.

Trying to cover all angles here. If you have a meter and you are getting large bills that don't represent the time you are there and the amount of water used you might try taking a meter reading before you leave and then again on your return. You may have a leak, I think then that it is right to say the pipe after your meter is yours so it would be up to you to get the matter resolved (as it belongs to you) and you won't get a refund.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[suein56]

[quote user="cat5"]However, although our water consumption is miniscule, as we have only managed to get over twice this year, we are being charged full rates as if we were actually connected. [/quote]

Where we live if a village has had mains drainage installed but your house still has an approved fully functioning fosse and you choose not to connect to the now available mains then you will be charged, via means of your meter reading, as if you had mains drainage. This applies for all your water usage.

Sue

[mint]

Sue, PM for you in a coupla minutes!

[AnOther]

I understood that if mains drainage was available not connecting to it was not an option although you had some grace period to do it.

Maybe the default charge for water in AND water out is a form of encouragement.

I think I'm right in saying that there is an additional (standing) charge too which effectively triples the cost of water, at lest that is the experience of some friends of mine. Not on mains I pay something just over €1/m3 but on mains they are paying around €3.

Long live my fosse [;-)]

[Bluebell]

Last summer they laid mains drains in the village. We have to be connected within two years. Whether or not we are connected we have had to pay the first of two installments for the work (600 euros) and we are now charged for sewage even though we are still using our fosse septique.