What’s wrong with the water heater? If it’s a tank type what they call a ballon in France probably easily repairable if it’s a heating element or thermostat that’s up the creek.
The gas water heater works, but is supplied by a water pipe that leaks at a joint which is difficult to reach. I make do with an electric kettle when I need hot water. As I said, when I think I can afford it I will make do until renovations are affordable. I’m well used to making do. Not a hardship!
Edit added: The water heater is the instantaneous type, feeding the kitchen sink, wash basin and shower.
Why not ask at your Mairie… they are the ones who will know far more about this than any of us.. ??? 
(the way this thread has expanded is hilarious 
)
It’s very simple Stella, they’ve seen he’s not using as much water as usual, so curious as to why. They are doing their job, if someone has tapped into an outside source (as I have) then the installation has to be compliant for public safety, also if on mains drainage the water company is not getting their fair amount for the treatment of the water.
I’m sure they are doing their job… but if I receive a bundle of bumpf and a form to complete… and am obviously worried by it all (as is Bonzocat) … I would hotfoot to the Mairie and ask their advice…
I know that residents in my commune (of all nationalities) would (and do) take that route (on all sorts of subjects) and find out what is going-on and thus stop worrying… it can be that simple! 
Will do next time!
Had another look at my house deeds and the well is referred to as the ‘village well’. I think the small group of houses within which I live has been referred to as a village. So those in the village in days gone by who had no piped water, or their own well, may have been entitled under law to use the village well.
Ensemble le droit de puisage au puits du village et le droit de passage sur la partie de terrain appartenant à (les propriétaires), pour aller au puits.
Together the right to draw water from the village well and the right of way over the part of land belonging to (the owners), to go to the well. Google translate.
My previous house had it’s own well as did both close neighbours but it never appeared on any privately owned or the communal cadastre until a couple of years before I moved when the commune cadastre was re-drawn for digitalisation and every single well was included along with ALL old outbuildings of pigsty size, all garden structures of all sizes and everything that was on the actual land where it was never shown before. Obviously this did not go down well as the locals said it was just another way to increase foncières on things previously taken for granted and not even used any longer like most of the wells that were always dry.
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The well that I am allowed to use is on the cadastre on a numbered parcel of land owned by my old farming neighbours. And my copy of the cadastre in the house deeds looks ancient indeed.
Last piece of advice is to be careful what you say when the “inspector/agent” visits.
You do NOT know why that person is visiting you. You do NOT know why you have been sent the bumpf… and that Form (which you started to complete before you realised it didn’t apply to your situation!!)
You are just presuming it is all something to do with your much reduced water-usage… but let them explain their visit first off … then you can respond.
and make sure you see some identification before letting anyone through your door!
Best of luck
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As an aside… there is an ancient puit on our land… public access one side, private access on t’other.. never appears to have incurred taxes of any sort. It’s used for filling neighbouring swimming pools and watering their gardens etc (unless the Prefet bans such things during droughts) no meters on the well… and never been tested to my knowledge.
Agreed, but their letter is quite clear in that they believe I have a ‘private supply of water’, (a well) and, according to the letter, ‘a water service agent will inspect your private installations’ on the date given.
I’m loath to let them explore my house, if that is what they intend to do, but will if that’ll end the matter asap on the day.
You are certainly laid back about this on receipt of such a letter I’d have hotfooted it to our Mairie.
Our Secretaire is wonderful. Many years ago she sorted out a Geometre/Inspector who had sent me a letter saying that I had done something wrong (???) and he would be visiting… put me in quite a panic.
On the appointed day.. he arrived at my door, apologised for troubling me and said that the Mairie had told him I was a lovely lady and he must be polite 
After a few questions, the mystery was solved (nothing to do with me as it happened) and he went on his way…
phew
Name, rank and number, that’s all
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Please do NOT say you know “why” they are visiting… as that can be misconstrued (yes, I do know of such an instance…).
You do NOT understand their letter since you do NOT have a private supply of water and there are NOT any private installations to inspect.
Keep pushing those simple phrases…
EDIT do you have a friend who can be present with you during the visit?
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Don’t worry, I’ve dealt with problems that arrive all on my own for the last 30 or more years. On the day I’m generally focused on what’s important. I used to be a group leader of a team of architects, have supervised site meetings on building sites, and so on. Good training for dealing with technical problems involving people face to face.
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so long as the training was in French, you should be ok
Don’t worry Stella, I’ve dealt with more complex problems, suing a neighbour for example, had a useless French lawyer, but won my case by submitting my own evidence to the judge.
I’ve rowed with the income tax people because they’d taken 1000€ more than they were entitled. I asked to see the supervisor and it took until their office had closed before she understood and finally admitted that their computer was wrong and that I was right. On that occasion I had to thump the table with my fist asking to see her.
And much more going further back in time, and all in French! I am far from helpless believe me. But apart from the table thumping all done amicably.
And I went to auction to buy an old workshop, determined to buy it, on my own and in French.
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Bonzocat, perhaps this suggestion is more to do with having a witness, rather than for providing assistance?
I’m not trying to make it seem more serious than it is.
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Thank you @survive15, but I think the RESE are coming with honest intentions. It’s the way they have approached what they perceive to be a problem that bothered me.
They could have written pointing out their concern that my water consumption has dropped, to which I could reply with an explanation. But instead, they have chosen to consider that I do have a private source of water supply, not in accordance with their mandatory regulations, and demanding a meeting which I must attend.
I’m not worried that they might have an underhand motive.
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Had you provided the glowing CV at the start, I would have simply let you get on with it..
However, the advice I have given is good for anyone who receives letters/whatever if such stuff gives them cause for concern… particularly not completing forms/signing anything without fully understanding the content and the implications.
and, yes, it is often a good idea to have a witness.
best of luck
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