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elle- it is far more likely your water bills will go down! If the number of people in your house is fewer than the number of bedrooms, they almost certainly will. My son does not have a water meter and his bills are about £200 twice a year. I have a meter and mine are £14 a month.
I am a very low user of water, however. I have a rainwater butt and large collecting tank for the garden. A low user of water in my household size would use 44 cubic meters and an average user 58 cm. I use 32 cubic meters.

Hello, Ros!
That is encouraging news!
I have no idea how this meter lark works......but we have been told that some information will shortly be arriving in the post, explaining the principles etc., so I may learn more from that!
I think we probably tend to use a lot of water.......daily baths/ showers , use of washing machine, watering the garden?
It all adds up?
And to be honest, I have never before given the use of water much thought...it is there, so I use it.
As you have a water meter, do you find yourself consciously thinking about how much water you are actually using on a daily basis?
( I'm probably looking for problems where there will not be any!
Being metered is just such a foreign concept as yet)

Our water bills have gone down since we were metered.
I admit I am more careful now but not obsessive.
I no longer run the tap hard when I clean my teeth!

Good evening, Elle!
EuroPlayer have a blasted nerve asking for more money!
I hope you chased them!
That is very good of Bahamut replacing your book, especially with an "excellent" copy.
I have no water meter.
I am not sure if they are in use here?
I do get my energy supplier wanting me to get a smart meter for the electric, though.
I have disregarded them, so far.
I have done my puzzle.
There is a dreadful (to me) homophone at 15a.
And try as I might, I cannot quite see the parse in 1a.
Almost, but not quite!
Back to the cycling!

elle. Yes, I did think a lot about water use and still do. I get any tap defect repaired asap. I no longer have very hot baths every night and my skin is hugely improved. I don't run the water as I clean my teeth, indeed washing the outside of my mouth after is all I do now (if you use expensive toothpaste with medicinal ingredients, why rinse it out? Advice from my dentist).
I think about using the "small wash" on the clothes washing machine. I don't use more water than I need to for boiling the kettle or cooking veg. I wash dishes by hand once a day only. If I clean the car I use a bucket or two (perhaps once a year!) I let whatever gods may be clean the windows of my house.

One day wars will be fought over scarce water resources.

I hope I don't sound too smug. I just think it's important, though before my husband got a meter I never gave it a moment's thought.

Good evening, Rusty!
Well, we certainly have had no choice over either the installation of a smart meter (some time ago) and the forthcoming water meter.
Both were arbitrary decisions taken out of our hands. by the "authorities".
Although I have heard that the ruling about smart meters has now been changed, and one can now choose whether or not to have it?
I am not happy with the idea of metered water...but perhaps it will work out all right......
I shall await the arrival of my literature!
I did not like today's puzzle...I have about ten clues I could not solve.
1a was one of these!
Yes, 15a is diabolical - since when did "caught" sound like "court"?
I liked "Ezra", "Joan of Arc" and "Rabelais".
How was the golf and the cycling?


Hello, Ros!
What you say sounds most commendable...... and I would not be "wasteful" as such.......but I do not want to live my life like that!
I may not be "PC" in saying this, but it sounds an awful regime.
I'll probably now be shot down in flames.......

Hello, Elle!
1A, Is "empower".
Just shout if you would like help?
I have not heard of water meters around here.
I'll ask my son, he is a plumber and may know.
But the smart meters are optional...so far!
The cycling is good.
Katie Archibald has won gold in the women's pursuit.
She is switching to the road next year, though.
The doctor who was involved in Wiggins "mystery package" has resigned due to ill health!
I have not looked at the golf so far.
Miss O texted to me to see if I want to go to Pine Cone tomorrow.
Very nice of her!

Update, Elle.
My son says only commercial properties in Scotland have water meters.

Hi, Rusty!
I don't understand "empower"?
I'm presuming it is the definition "permit"? but how else does it work?
Thank you for the offer of further help ---but please save it till tomorrow, I may need it then!
I have long given up on today's puzzle!
I wonder why only Commercial properties in Scotland have water meters?
I am tending towards thinking that their purpose is to be restrictive......through thrift? or maybe because of guilt at water- wastage?
What do you think?
You will be becoming a fixture at the Pine Cone!

Hello, Elle!
I do not know how "empower" works either!
That's the one I told you was baffling me!
I think I'll have another look at it.
As regards water meters up here, I have no idea.
We have a lot more water available to us up here than you do, but I honestly have no idea why only commercial properties.
I just never think about water as we seem to have so much of it with the rivers and lochs.
Yes, I can see me being entitled to a free Christmas tree from the Pine Cone!