Water Bills !

widge · Post by **widge** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:40 am

I have just received a bill for 1600 euros for water and waste disposal. Cumulatively bills amount to 1800 euros for July to November. My plot is 2000 m with pool and irrigation but the house only occupied for 6 weeks since July, does this seem like a reasonable cost?

piglet · Post by **piglet** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:01 am

Hi Widge...if you look further back there was quite a debate about this.

My property has not been completed yet but thanks to many posts on this forum relating to the topic I will not be having an irrigation system or a pool and we will plan our garden etc with water conservation in mind

I think the info was around the cost of Living post. I know some very high figures were quoted and I was horrified

Pigs

digger · Post by **digger** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:33 am

Hi widge….Its probable that they haven’t read your meter and sent you an estimated bill. This has happened to us in the past, but its only been 100 ish euros over the top, and we have simply paid it to be refunded at a later date. Your bill could be 1000(?)euros over!! ...have you checked the reading? (...or is that a silly question?)

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 12:28 pm

Unread meter is a possibility, but I can assure you, that this year the water bills have been very high across the board.

Lack of precipitation and elevated temperatures have led to s significant increase in water consumption and consequent substancial increase in water billing. This is due mainly to the criteria by which the water consumption is billed (escalão) and also because of the percentage that is added on top of the bill for so-called waste disposal.

In an effort to reduce the impact of future water bills, several villa management agencies have written a letter to the CM Lagoa requesting a restructuring of the bill. Their argumentation was based on the facts, that most houseowners pay for garden refuse removal themselves (also a large percentage on the waste disposal side) and that the bi-monthly reading of the meters easily pushes the consumption to a higher escalão or consumption bracket thus increasing the m3 price substancially.

The reply received form the president of the CM was simple to the point that it was a kick in the face of those, who contributed most to the wealth and status of the council over the past decades. The reponse can be reduced to a simple sentence: "the structure and calculation of the water bills are fair in every aspect."
The arguments brought forth by the houseowners were not addressed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:28 pm

My bills for a similar property were about the same.......All this nonsense about the low cost of living in Portugal...Aint true I can tell you......what with the costs of the usual management company plus the water /Elec etc etc.....no Portugal has lovely weather...but what else does it have besides red tape and as you say total kick in the face from the local CM...SO.....I'm not complaining..I'm out of here......house is up for sale ...never could understand the horrible attitude most Potuguese have...always miserable...never help unless there is money in it for them.........but as I say if you dont like it..leave..and I am....

digger · Post by **digger** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:00 pm

Anonymous wrote:...never could understand the horrible attitude most Potuguese have...always miserable...never help unless there is money in it for them........

……..it’s the same the world over……..and if you’re looking for something for nothing from the Portuguese, then that’s horrible attitude

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:06 pm

Anonymous wrote:I'm not complaining

Oh good, thought you were being a bit negative for a sec. Glad to see I'm wrong again.

iane · Post by **iane** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:17 pm

Bit of a disappointment to read the guest post here and I suppose I will be agreeing with Digger (again!) - if anyone expects something for nothing theres a nasty shock waiting everywhere.

You can only speak as you find but I will make a sweeping generalisation and say I believe there are more honest and genuine people per thousand in the Algarve than there are in the UK.

If it hadn't been for our Portuguese friends and neighbours who have been hugely helpful without even a thought of reward (in fact I daren't even offer in most cases coz they can get offended) we would have found our "emigration" a lot tougher than we did. Seems to me that if you have an open attitude and are prepared to take things as you find them this is still a great place to live.

Anyone planning a move - dont let this put you off but please do your research first.

iane · Post by **iane** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:19 pm

PS: Happy Christmas to everyone (this season of goodwill !)

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:38 pm

Hi iane,

Thanks for that. I am moving in January and I am looking forward to it.

As you say, research is essential and it's not because Portugal has lovely weather that one must expect it to be easy. If you move to live, life isn't going to be a holiday!

I must say that, personally, I can't wait!

Debs G · Post by **Debs G** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:58 pm

Can anyone say that the bills for their Portuguese property would be roughly similar to the bills on a UK property of a similar size or would they be more?

I don't find the cost of living out here cheaper, in fact many things cost more. I am not complaining though as I knew what I was getting into when I moved out here and I wasn't moving to save money or to have a holiday!!!

I love it out here!

digger · Post by **digger** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:45 pm

G holidayed in England a couple of months back and found a euro to be worth a pound (…..words to that effect)……….and that’s the way I see it.

.....but the comparative cost of public utilities?????

digger · Post by **digger** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:49 pm

iane wrote:.......and I suppose I will be agreeing with Digger (again!)

not again

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:56 pm

I dont think 'Unhappy Guest' is looking for something for nothing....I too agree that to enable us to move up and forward in the competition to get more tourists to visit the Algarve and be happy ..and come back......means that the attitude and service of local Portuguese (and all Industry)..really has to change..OR..just dont expect tourists to return..Its as simple as that....One can pretend that all is fine until you look at the facts of falling tourism ...falling investment...etc etc....One can say that unhappy guest is negative...but he/She is leaving...as are many others and they are off to the old eastern block / Malta etc etc..because they feel they get more value for money...more fun times....and as for business....much less Red tape...so whilst I do not condone Mr. Unhappy 's attitude..I think a lot of you guys and girls are looking through the rose coloured glasses....the facts are that our tourist trade is dropping dramatically and foreign investment is stationary.....and most of you out there can only talk about the weather......but please dont mention that Portugal is by far the poorest country in Europe........and going further down everyday.....Or is that what we all really want........a Poor ..sleepy ...lovely Portugal ..just like it used to be..30 years ago.....as an englishman I love it.....lets take all we can...whilst the Local Portuguese struggle to make a living barely 30% of the average UK income.....................Just WHO is looking for something...for nothing....?????

iane · Post by **iane** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:40 am

Im afraid agreeing with the digger is becoming a habit (should I be getting worried??)