Will water meters be compulsory in the future?

ik1

Hi All,

I heard from someone recently that water meters are to be made compulsory in couple of years but after googling I have not found any real information on this.

Does anyone know if the waters meters are supposed to be made compulsory in the future? I live in Birmingham.

Many thanks

Gothicfairy

I should think this will happen. Some companies fit them now as soon as there is a change in customer so I am sure it will not take long for them all to be doing it.

Cardew

The original intent was that all properties would eventually have meters, but the Parliamentary Bill allowed existing properties(built before 1990) to retain charges based on the Rateable Value.

When the property has a new occupant, water companies are entitled to fit a meter regardless of the wishes of the new occupant. Some companies enforce this provision, others don't - although it was the intent of the Bill that a meter would be mandatory in those circumstances - unless of course it was not possible to fit a meter, when an assessed charge would be applied.

Legislation has been passed for some areas, where there is a water shortage, to have meters fitted even to properties with long term existing occupants.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/jan/30/water.greenpolitics

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4759960.stm

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5998849.ece

ik1

thank you both for your replies.

karatedragon

I hope so. Not before time. Electric and Gas is metered. Why not water.