– You can save a lot of money by having a water meter. Especially those who are well grown and live in a large house, says plumber Jakob Langlo Handeland. He is in the process of replacing an old water meter in a building in the center of Sandnes with three apartments and a shop on the first floor. Jakob Langlo Handeland replaces the old water meter with a new one. The old ones do not measure the amount of water used as well as a new one. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news – When the water meters get a little old, they no longer measure so accurately. Then it’s a good idea to get a new one. Electricity and interest increase the price A survey carried out by the municipal organization KS shows that many municipalities will raise the water and drainage fees next year. Of the municipalities that have responded, 40 per cent say that the fees are increased by 20 per cent. The inter-municipal company IVAR supplies water, sewage and waste disposal services to Sandnes and eleven other municipalities in Rogaland. They are increasing the fees to the municipalities by 48 per cent next year. – High electricity prices and increased interest means that we have to raise the fees. In addition, we have used a surplus from previous years to keep the water tax down. It’s no longer possible, says Jostein Karlsen, head of the department for finance and procurement at IVAR. It is up to the municipalities how much they want to increase the fees for their residents. In Sandnes, fees are increasing by 12.8 per cent. For a family of four living in a detached house of 175 square metres, this amounts to NOK 134 a month, according to business manager for water, sewage and waste disposal Trine Eide Fossmark. Business manager for water, sewage and waste disposal in Sandnes municipality Trine Eide Fossmark says people are concerned that water and sewage charges are rising in the municipality. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news – When the price goes up from IVAR, we also have to increase our fees. But some of our customers can save money by installing water meters. Only ten percent of the inhabitants of Sandnes have a water meter. Nationally, the figure is 36 percent. Believes in increased demand With a water meter, the subscriber only pays for the water used. If you do not have a water meter, you pay for the size of your home. Sandnes municipality estimates that each person uses an average of 60,000 liters of water a year. – We have not noticed much interest in water meters until now. But when the fees increase, we think interest will increase, says Eide Fossmark. People have to pay for water meter hire and installation themselves. – In the long run, you can earn this back. – Who can save money by installing a water meter in their home? – There are adults who do not use that much water, and who live in a large detached house. Check here how much you can save (external link). Plumber Jakob Langlo Handeland also believes that interest in installing water meters will increase, when the fee goes up next year. On average, the company he works for has 25 water meter assignments a month. – With a water meter, you pay exactly for the water you use. Anne Marie Gautun Bomark works in the shop in the building, which has received a new water meter with the help of Handeland. She doesn’t know how much water she uses. – We don’t have a water meter at home in the house where I live in Sandnes. It is perhaps something to think about now when the fees increase, says Anne Marie Gautun Bomark. She lives in a large detached house with her husband. The children have moved out. Anne Marie Gauthun Bomark sells yarn in a building that has had a new water meter. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news – I think we would have become more aware of water use if we had had water meters. After all, we followed the electricity, and competed for how much electricity we use when the price has been so high. Maybe we should do it with water too?, says Anne Marie Gautun Bomark.
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Fees increase, but few use water meters that can save money – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
