How often have you seen a water meter inspector

losgiganteskid

Just a thought - I often see electricity meter/gas meter reader plodding from house to house, but given that most water meters are under a metal flap usually on the pavement outside the house, I don't think I have ever seen a water meter reader on his hands and knees - have you ??. I suppose my question is "are water meters a con" as they never seem to get read:cool:

moonrakerz

The "water meter fairy" calls in the middle of the night :D

Gothicfairy

As part of the DG8 (director general rules) water meters have to be read at least once a years unless they can not gain access due to the homeowner etc and then they can ask the court for a warrent of entry to read the meter as part of the DG8 committment.
If they fail the DG8 then OFWAT can and do fine them. They are allowed however so many per year as some just can not be read due to health and saftey etc (some traveller sites are not read etc)

GillM

My water meter was fitted in the pavement as you say, but the chap did try to fit it in the house first, unfortunately my stop !!!! is in very awkward position (always been a problem) so he couldn't. Is it actually true that 'most' meters are in the pavement? Having said that, I do agree with you, I'm sure quite a lot of meters are in the pavement and I've never seen them being read either, and I walk around the estate quite a lot with the dog. I guess moonrakerz is right, it's the water meter fairy in the middle of the night! :T

devildog

I must be far from the 'norm' I see mine every six months without fail!!!

losgiganteskid

When I bought a buy to let house on a modernish estate a few years back I contacted the Water Company and they asked me if I could read the meter for them. I have difficulty in actually prising up the metsl flap in the pavement to expose the meter, then I couldn't read it cos the glass cap (held in place with a security seal was covered in condensation so the dials were impossible to read, I told the Water Co this and they just said "OK - then "

I think the meter readings from the meters in the pavement are just not read, as I for one can't recall ever seeing a reader on hands and knees, especially where they have to undo the security seals to flip open the meter cover to enable them to see the reading, then re seal them - it just doesn't happen. I think I have discovered a water meter con

bondy01

losgiganteskid wrote: »

When I bought a buy to let house on a modernish estate a few years back I contacted the Water Company and they asked me if I could read the meter for them. I have difficulty in actually prising up the metsl flap in the pavement to expose the meter, then I couldn't read it cos the glass cap (held in place with a security seal was covered in condensation so the dials were impossible to read, I told the Water Co this and they just said "OK - then "

I think the meter readings from the meters in the pavement are just not read, as I for one can't recall ever seeing a reader on hands and knees, especially where they have to undo the security seals to flip open the meter cover to enable them to see the reading, then re seal them - it just doesn't happen. I think I have discovered a water meter con

I've posted on another water thread that mine has a little plastic knob that operates an internal wiper to clean the condensation off. It is just above the numbers. I also find a decent screwdriver opens the cover easily and can then be jammed in place to keep the lid open.
edit: I'm the same as devildog , every 6 months without fail.

kwaks

As a matter of interest, what sort of cost is your water?

No water meters where I live, thank god.

glider3560

My water company read my meter every 6 months: in March and September*. They send a bill within a week of doing this.

I honestly can't fault my water companies (Bristol Water for supply, Wessex Water for sewerage). Their customer service is brilliant (replies to emails always within 24 hours), one single bill even though the companies are two separate entities and meter readings always correct.

* = Different areas are read on different dates. I assume they stagger the months so they can read a whole area of Bristol within a month.

losgiganteskid

glider3560 wrote: »

My water company read my meter every 6 months: in March and September*. They send a bill within a week of doing this.

I honestly can't fault my water companies (Bristol Water for supply, Wessex Water for sewerage). Their customer service is brilliant (replies to emails always within 24 hours), one single bill even though the companies are two separate entities and meter readings always correct.

* = Different areas are read on different dates. I assume they stagger the months so they can read a whole area of Bristol within a month.

but do you ever see anyone actually read the meter ??

glider3560

losgiganteskid wrote: »

but do you ever see anyone actually read the meter ??

Yes. They park the van at the end of the street and walk down the road, lifting each cover.

I even bumped into one of them reading my meter on the day I moved in here.