Thank you for replying. I have asked Thames Water to switch the water off, but they claim they can't for health & safety reasons. I stated to them that I don't need a water supply as I use bottled water for my needs. Water tap is only turned on when my child turns a tap on without permission. We even have economy toilet & it's tiny, so only requires half bottle water to flush. We have showers with bag of bottled water & recycle water onto outside plants. I was hoping to have a virtually non existent bill for being so economical. I think I understand now why so many people couldn't care less how much water they use. If I'm going to have to pay such a huge charge anyway I may as well not deprive myself & make sure I use tons of water from now on to justify it/get my fair share.

Hi I have a problem with my water changes as below if anyone can help please. Actual water usage for period 01 April 2013 to 20 February 2014 (365 days) Fresh water used= 11.87 price per m3 = 128.43 Fresh water used £15.24 Fixed charge £25.01 Used water disposal £8.36 Fixed charge £50.01 I didn't use much water & the fixed charges amounts to way more than the water. I asked if they were allowed to charges so much & they claimed they were. I'm very annoyed with them because they claim that this is for work done. But when I moved in to my flat in September 2012, I asked them to read the meter & they refused. It took 6 months before they read it & in that time I hadn't used water, as couldn't work boiler (used bottled water, as I do for most things). Nevertheless they are claiming I owe them £64.25 estimated cost for previous period too. I wrote to Thames water several months ago stating I didn't use any water for first 6 months in property & they have no proof of such, so I won't pay the £64.25 estimate. I also asked them to reduce fixed charges by half, stating I wouldn't pay until they corrected the unfair bill. But they still claim I must pay. They claimed regulatory ombudsman had stated their charges were fair & in line with what they can charge. They gave me number of ombudsman but said that ombudsman would say the charges are fair. Thames water claim I must pay a yearly service charge of £80 no matter how much or how little water I use. I stated that I have no problem with paying for water & waste water charges but don't see why I'm being asked to pay £80 year on top of this for nothing. Especially as they only read meter once every 6 months & it is located under manhole with whole streets electronically read all at once. I feel they don't warrant the charge. Is there anything I can do please? They have been threatening debt collectors. I'm on disability benefit & can't afford to pay £251 they now claim I owe.