Your Complete Guide to Utilities in Kilmacolm
If you just moved and have some questions about Kilmacolm? Our comprehensive utilities guide to Kilmacolm will help you to find out everything about broadband, area codes, power generation and energy distributors, and Kilmacolm water and sewerage. Keep reading to learn everything about utilities in Kilmacolm.
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About Kilmacolm, Inverclyde
Kilmacolm PA13 has a population of 3,986 and is located in the county of Inverclyde. Inverclyde has a population of 78,150 people.
Who supplies my water in Kilmacolm?
Kilmacolm water utilities are supplied by Scottish Water. Below are the main phone numbers for Scottish Water:
Getting in touch with your water supplier for Kilmacolm
Calling a phone number for Scottish Water is one of many options to talk about your Kilmacolm water account.
In the table below we have listed the main contact numbers for Scottish Water general enquiries and emergencies.
| Scottish Water telephone number | Scottish Water Emergency telephone number |
|---|---|
| 0800 077 8778 | 0800 077 8778 |
| 24/7/365 | |
Write to Scottish Water
Additionally, you can communicate with Scottish Water, by composing a letter or sending an email. You can even send your message through the Scottish Water website.
If you prefer to send a letter to Scottish Water can do so by writing to the Scottish Water address below:
| Scottish Water Address | |
|---|---|
| Head Office, Castle House, 6 Castle Drive Dunfermline KY11 8GG |
|
If you want to email Scottish Water, you can use the email address below:
| Scottish Water Email Address |
|---|
| [email protected] |
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Price of water in Kilmacolm
Water rates in Kilmacolm are based on if your home has a water meter or not. You can easily find out whether your Kilmacolm water rates are metered or unmetered rates by checking your water bill or by getting in touch with the supplier. Homes with metered Kilmacolm water rates will have a meter number listed on their water bills.
Metered Customers in Kilmacolm
Customers with a water meter at their Kilmacolm property will pay an annual charge that is fixed, plus an additional charge for each cubic meter (m3) that is consumed. The fixed charge is to cover the essential running costs of Scottish Water. Whilst the variable charges are for the consumption at your Kilmacolm home.
Unmetered Customers in Kilmacolm
Customers who don't have a meter at their Kilmacolm home will pay an annual charge for their water consumption. This charge is fixed, meaning your water bill will stay the same regardless of the amount of water you use at your Kilmacolm home.
As an unmetered customer, the rate you pay for water in Kilmacolm is based on the rateable value of your home. The rateable value part of your Kilmacolm water prices were determined by the local council in the 90s and are unlikey to have changed since then.
Should I get a water meter installed?
You need to consider how much water you consume per year. If you have a small family, or live alone, having a water meter installed at your Kilmacolm may save you money.
Customers with big families are probably not going to save money by installing a water meter.
How do I pay my Kilmacolm water bill?
You will first need to register with Scottish Water. After you've registered with Scottish Water, you can decide how you would like to pay your bill, such as:
- Direct Debit
- Online payments
- Pay over the phone
- Bank transfer
- Payment by cheque
- Payment card
It's also possible to choose the frequency of your Kilmacolm bill. Whilst some customers prefer to make a single annual payment, other customers might want to settle for quarterly, monthly, or even weekly payments instead. After you've set up your Scottish Water account, you will be able to choose how often you recieve your water bill and how to pay for it.
Can I switch the water supplier in Kilmacolm?
Unfortunately, your water supplier is fixed and depends on the catchment area based on your postcode. As a customer in Kilmacolm PA13, your water supplier is Scottish Water.
Since April 2017, business water customers have been able to switch water suppliers. You can find out if your business is eligible in our guide to switching water suppliers.
Kilmacolm Water Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered the most commonly asked questions that customers in Kilmacolm have about their water supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water in Kilmacolm
Is the tap water in Kilmacolm safe to drink?
Yes! It's safe to drink the tap water in Kilmacolm. You can rest assured that Kilmacolm water meets high standards making it safe to drink. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate has rated Kilmacolm water quality 99.94% in overall mean zonal compliance, which means your water is safe to drink. It is not required to boil or filter Kilmacolm water to make it drinkable.
Where does the water in Kilmacolm come from?
There are three main sources of water that supply Kilmacolm:
- Surface sources - 93%
- Groundwater sources - 6%
- Mixed sources - 1%
What's the water hardness rating in Kilmacolm
While rainwater itself is relatively soft, water hardness can change through the water cycle. As rainwater filters through rocks, it picks up minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. The more minerals the water picks up, the harder is your water considered.
The water hardness rating in Kilmacolm is fewer than 60ppm, this means the water in in Kilmacolm is rated as soft water.
What does this mean?
The water being supplied to your home in Kilmacolm contains low levels of minerals that cause hard water. soft water means your clothes should be softer after washing, and your appliances more efficient. You might also notice less limescale build-up in your appliances which means they should last longer.
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You don't need to add a water softener to the water in Kilmacolm.
Kilmacolm No Water
If you don't have any running water in your Kilmacolm home, you will need to check if the issue is to do with your home plumbing or if the issue is within your neighbourhood in Kilmacolm.
If there is no water at your Kilmacolm home, is the problem no cold water or no hot water? If you still have cold water but no hot water, the problem will be with the plumbing at your home and not a problem affecting Kilmacolm.
If your home has no cold water, not even a trickle, contact Scottish Water for assistance. If this is the case, you can try these tips:
- Check the "In Your Area" sections of the Scottish Water website for any information explaining why you have no water.
- Have a look at the Twitter account for Scottish Water, they often post incident updates when there's a problem.
- Talk to your neighbours and see if they are having a problem with their water supply.
- Check that your stop tap is open.
Kilmacolm water leak or flooding
Kilmacolm water problems can include anything from a burst water main or flooding, to a leak in your Kilmacolm home. This is why you should make sure you know what to do and who to contact regarding water emergencies.
If you discover flooding or a water leak outside your Kilmacolm property, you must do one of the following as soon as possible:
- Contact Scottish Water whether the problem is with clean water or wastewater.
- If you can access the internet from your location, navigate to the "report a leak" area of the Scottish Water website and complete the online form to report the issue.
Why does the water in Kilmacolm taste strange?
If you find the taste or smell is different with your Kilmacolm water this could be down to one of the following reasons:
- Chlorination is a safe way to ensure hygiene throughout the pipe network.
- Seasonal changes can infuse the Kilmacolm water with an earthy taste or smell.
- Plumbing can be a contributing factor to the taste of your water, adding rubbery, salty, or metallic hints to Kilmacolm water.
If you have questions about your water's taste, smell, or appearance, you should get in touch with Scottish Water via the contact channels listed above.
Broadband Speed in Kilmacolm PA13
The broadband speed you get at your Kilmacolm home is dependant upon several factors such as:
- Fibre availability
- Proximity of the local telephone exchange
- Location of the router in your home
- If you are connected with ethernet or wi-fi
- Your broadband provider
Test the speed of your connection and see if it matches the average internet speed in Kilmacolm with our fast and simple speed test.
Did you know that the average download speed in the UK is around 62.5Mbps?
| Kilmacolm Average Download Speed | Kilmacolm Average Upload Speed |
|---|---|
| 91.60 Mbps | 13.00 Mbps |
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The internet connection type you have can have an effect on the speed you get in Kilmacolm. An FTTP is currently the fastest broadband connection you can get in the UK at the time of writing, this has been rolled out to 31.83% of UK households.
The slowest way to access the internet is ADSL, but for some customers in remote areas it is the only means of connection currently available.
What to look for when picking a broadband provider in Kilmacolm?
These days, the internet is as important as other essential utilities, perhaps more important. So picking the right internet provider can be unnerving. To ease the pressure, let's take a look at the top four points that you should consider when picking a broadband provider in Kilmacolm.
Availability
The first point to bear in mind before picking a broadband provider in Kilmacolm is the issue of availability. Whilst many homes in Kilmacolm should have access to superfast' or fibre connections, people outside a built-up area could face issues getting access to the fastest internet.
However, new builds and properties that have been constructed in the last few years may already have access to ultrafast FTTH because property developers will often choose to install the latest networks when building new homes.
Type of connection
How can I connect to the internet in Kilmacolm?
- Fibre broadband
- This is the fastest available internet connection in Kilmacolm
- We can split fibre connections into two categories, they are called 'Superfast' and 'Full Fibre'
- Superfast broadband has a download speed that's at least 24 Mbps.
- A Full Fibre connection can currently reach speeds from 300 Mbps up to 1 Gbps.
- ADSL or ADSL2
- An older type of connection that is provided via your phone line.
- Limited download speed of up to 24 Mbps.
- Available to the majority of Kilmacolm homes.
- Cable
- Speed that are the same as, or faster than, fibre broadband.
- Can only choose Virgin Media.
- Availability can be limited in some parts of Kilmacolm.
- 4G/5G, Mobile, and Satellite Broadband
- Speed is dependant upon the mobile signal strength in Kilmacolm.
- Can be more expensive for heavy users without unlimited data.
- Can tether to your smartphone without special equipment, although some of the mobile networks in the UK will not allow tethering.
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Kilmacolm broadband value for money
Another important consideration is how much it costs for the broadband in Kilmacolm. It's easy to find a broadband provider that's offering a low cost deal for new customers, but the price is often for a limited period. You should always look in the small print of the offer when you sign up for a internet connection in Kilmacolm. Some providers may even increase the price before your contract has finished. For example, recently there was a BT price hike which affects millions of BT customers.
Kilmacolm Broadband Reliability
How reliable the broadband is in Kilmacolm also needs consideration, with many of us working from home on a part-time or full-time basis, we need to have a reliable internet connection to keep up to date with work your work is really important.
Then in our freetime we're streaming movies or playing online games with friends that without a reliable internet connection for your Kilmacolm home is something to think about.
Kilmacolm broadband customer service
Lastly, the technical support for your Kilmacolm broadband internet is of utmost importance. You might never need to get in touch with your internet service provider, but should the need to contact them arises a high level of customer support that deals with your query efficiently and quickly is a strong plus when selecting an internet provider in Kilmacolm.
[YAML_telecoms_alldeals_intext_cta1]Broadband FAQ
In the FAQ below, we've answered the frequently asked questions that customers in Kilmacolm ask about their broadband.
Broadband Internet FAQs
What's the average broadband speed in Kilmacolm?
The average broadband speed in Kilmacolm is:
| Kilmacolm Average Download Speed | Kilmacolm Average Upload Speed |
|---|---|
| 91.60 Mbps | 13.00 Mbps |
What do ADSL, Superfast, FTTC, FTTH, and FTTP actually mean?
To put it in simple terms, this means the kind of broadband internet connection.
- ADSL: Asymmetric digital subscriber line - a broadband connection like this has a download speed of up to 24 Mbps. However, the speed reduces as you get further away from the telephone exchange.
- Superfast: This is fibre broadband that is at least 30 Mbps.
- FTTC: Fibre To The Cabinet - this is a fibre connection that is delivered to one of those green boxes on your street in Kilmacolm, from which it is connected to your property through your traditional copper wire telephone line.
- FTTP/FTTH: Fibre To The Premises/Home - The connection is delivered using 100% fibre cables to your Kilmacolm house. That means it's the fastest and most reliable type of broadband fibre internet. At the time of writing, 31.83% of houses in the UK .
How fast internet should my internet be?
That will be dependant on what kind of internet user you are. Take a look at this table for a general idea the kind of broadband speed you should choose when signing up for broadband in Kilmacolm.
| Frequent internet uses | Recommended Download Speed | 2 devices or less |
|---|---|---|
| 2 devices or less | Social media, light streaming, email, working from home (WFH), etc | 10-25 Mbps Broadband |
| Maximum of 5 devices | AAll the above and 4K streaming or online gaming | 50-100 Mbps Broadband |
| More than 5 devices | All of the above, streaming your own video content on the web or large file transfers | 100+ Mbps Broadband |
What's the difference between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi?
2.4ghz and 5ghz are the two radio frequencies internet routers use to transmit the data between your devices. 2.4Ghz WiFi travels across longer distances, but does so at slower speeds. 5Ghz WiFi signals have a smaller radius, but are able to transmit your data at faster speeds.
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What's the telephone area code for Kilmacolm
The telephone dialling code, sometimes called the area code, for Kilmacolm is 01806. If you're calling somebody in Kilmacolm, and you're located in a different region, you will need to add 01806 to the number you're calling.
How much does an 01806 Kilmacolm call cost?
If calls are included with your landline or mobile tariff, then the call cost is likely to be included in that tariff. If calls are not included with your tariff, it should cost in the region of 10p per minute, plus the call set-up charge.
If you don't know whether you have calls included in your tariff, we recommend getting in touch with your provider before making the call so you don't find unexpected charges on your telephone bill.
How many different area codes are there in the UK? Including Northern Ireland, The UK has 645 area codes. They are a mix of three, four, or five digits long.
Gas and Electricity in Kilmacolm
People living in Kilmacolm are free to choose their gas and electricity provider, but regardless of which supplier they choose, the electricity and gas will always be distributed and taken care of by the network operator for the region.
These network operators are known as Distribution Network operators (DNOs) and these are the companies that own and operates the infrastructure that connect your Kilmacolm home to the gas and electricity networks.
In many cases you won't need to speak to the Kilmacolm distribution network operator, but should the need arise, you can quickly find out which DNO covers Kilmacolm right here.
You can also read more about what a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) does in our Distribution Network Operator guide
Electricity Distribution Network Operator responsible for Kilmacolm
The electricity distribution network operator for Kilmacolm is SP Energy Networks - Central & Southern Scotland. You can find the SP Energy Networks - Central & Southern Scotland contact details in the table below:
| SP Energy Networks - Central & Southern Scotland Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| General Enquiries | 0330 101 0444 |
| Emergencies | 0800 092 9290 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/ |
| Address | Customer Contact Team, SP Energy Networks, 320 St Vincent St Glasgow |
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There are a total of six electricity distribution network operators that cover the UK:
- Electricity North West
- Northern Powergrid
- SSE Networks
- SP Energy Networks
- UK Power Networks
- Western Power Distribution
Power Generation near Kilmacolm
There are no power plants within a 10 mile radius of Kilmacolm.
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Fossil Fuels
In 2021, 47.4% of the UK’s total electricity production was by burning fossil fuels. The majority of which was natural gas (42%) and coal (2.7%). In addition, a small amount was produced from other types of fossil fuels (2.7%). The amount of electricity produced from fossil fuels changes each year.
Nuclear Power
16.1% of electricity was generated by nuclear reactors in 2021, in the next few years we can expect this to reduce as the UK’s nuclear power stations are scheduled for closure, by 2035 there will only one nuclear power plant still producing energy. However, new nuclear reactors are being planned such as Hinkley Point C which is currently being built.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy generated 40.3% of electricity in 2021, an increase from 29% in 2018. Renewable fuel is generated from souces such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. We can expect to see this continue increasing as the UK aims to meet its net-zero targets.
Municipalities Close By Kilmacolm
You might be wondering which municipalities are within reach of Kilmacolm, in the below table you will find the five closest municipalities to Kilmacolm.
| Municipality | Distance from Kilmacolm |
|---|---|
| Langbank | 3.78 miles |
| Port Glasgow | 3.78 miles |
| Cardross | 4.09 miles |
| Bishopton | 4.89 miles |