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The Complete France Post Bag
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 10/05/2008, 10:12
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eillen
Joined on 01/02/2005
Posts 23
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My water bill for the year is usually between 100 -180 euros. I have just received the bill for last year which is 1237 euros for 860 cubic metres!
The house is only occupied for about 12-14 weeks of the year. I had repair work to the pool so it had to be filled again but that was only about 40 cubic metres. Also last year a neighbour told me that water was bubbling up in the road outside my house but not on my land. The problem was fixed by the commune and I wasn't billed for the work so presumed it wasn't my problem. Would I have been charged for this loss of water from the leak?
Everywhere is shut until Tuesday but I want to collect as much information as I can and hopefully persuade them that I am not responsible for the whole bill.
Thanks,
Eillen
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10/05/2008, 11:56
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Val_2
Joined on 23/08/2004
Posts 3,055
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You are responsible for any leaks from your side of the water meter.Anything on the other side of the meter is either the commune or the water company and you do not pay. You may have a leak under your property which is why your meter has read this figure and it does happen, near to us over six months of a major leak with a bill of many thousands of euros which was sorted via the house insurance. Get it checked in case it is you.
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10/05/2008, 13:23
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eillen
Joined on 01/02/2005
Posts 23
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Thanks Val2.
I have looked all around the house and in the garden but cannot find any soggy patches or areas where everything grows well. I also cannot find where the water meters are to do another reading to see if the problem is continuing. Our bill comes from the mairie so do I ask them to check the meters for me? If there is still a problem what type of organisation do I ring to check for leaks? I was cut off for 2 weeks earlier this year. the man who worked for the commune told me that there had been lots of problems with water in the village but that the problem was not to do with my house.
Does normal household insurance inFfrance deal with this or should I have taken out separate insurance for this? I have only just received a cheque for a burgulary in November. It's not my year!
Thanks
Eillen
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10/05/2008, 13:54
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powerdesal
 
Joined on 07/01/2006
Sharjah U.A.E
Posts 2,023
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I wonder if I am paranoid or normal but whenever we leave the French house for any length of time I always isolate the water at the meter outlet valve, similarly I isolate the electrics at the mains. Is this just me being odd ?????
Steve
Sharjah + 50 (in France)
...........................................................................
Roll on death.....Demob is too far away.
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10/05/2008, 13:59
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Dick Smith
Joined on 23/08/2004
Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais)
Posts 8,731
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No, I do the same, especially in winter.
Regards
Dick Smith
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
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10/05/2008, 14:11
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Val_2
Joined on 23/08/2004
Posts 3,055
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It is normal to turn off the water supply to the house at the meter if you are not there all the time especially in cold weather as if there is a leak then you will be clocking up the euros. To the poster, I do not understand why you cannnot find your meter, its one of the major things you find the whereabouts of when you buy a property here along with the fosse septic and electric meter. Also if you have any outside taps that are not locked and your supply is still open, neighbours will use it especially if it is a holiday home,never trust anyone here where water and electricity is concerned if they can get it for free.
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10/05/2008, 14:16
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Dick Smith
Joined on 23/08/2004
Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais)
Posts 8,731
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I take your point about the neighbours, Val (I don't totally trust mine) but there is a about three quarters of a ton of water missing here! That has to be a leak. Is there a loss of water pressure in the house?
But like you, I can't see how the main valve for the house isn't obvious.
Regards
Dick Smith
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
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10/05/2008, 14:34
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powerdesal
Joined on 07/01/2006
Sharjah U.A.E
Posts 2,023
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He11s teeth ! I had never considered the possibility of water theft.
I suppose if someone really wanted to they could open my isolating valve, use water from the outside tap and then close the valve again, I would never be able to prove a thing. Scary thought.
Steve
Sharjah + 50 (in France)
...........................................................................
Roll on death.....Demob is too far away.
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10/05/2008, 14:39
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Dick Smith
Joined on 23/08/2004
Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais)
Posts 8,731
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We've thought of that, too, and just cutting into our pipeline. But our only immediate neighbour has an artesian well.
It's just occurred to me that they can't - the outside tap is fed from inside - after the indoor isolator, which is always turned off when we are away.
Regards
Dick Smith
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
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10/05/2008, 14:56
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krusty
Joined on 13/08/2006
haute vienne (87)
Posts 2,158
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You can do what I have seen seen the water board men do in England check late at night for the sound of running water .It should be easy in France it soon goes very quite at night.
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France Forum » General Discuss... » The Complete Fr... » water bill
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