Can Anglian Water forcibly install a meter

neilmcl

My Dad got a letter from Anglian Water last week stating that a surveyor will visist today to see about installing a water meter at his property. He has no desire to have a meter fitted.

Can they insist that a meter is fitted, what rights does my Dad have as the property owner? Can he refuse to let the surveyor on to the property?

Cardew

All water companies can insist on a meter where there has been a change of account holder - and they can go back a long while, or if they have reason to think he is using a lot of water, swimming pool, pond etc.

Also in certain areas they are allowed to fit a meter regardless of the owners wishes and length of occupation.

Your father can of course refuse to let him survey the property, but they can refuse to supply him with water i.e. cut off the supply.

Also water companies have the right to access the property if there is a problem with water supply or sewers.

Is there a specific reason why your father doesn't want a meter?

ankspon

What is his current usage,we are saving a fortune with a meter.

BackOnTrack

I have just had a look at Anglian Waters Water Resource Managment Plan. In this they have included a compulsory metering programme. This document when approved by the Secretary of State gives the water company the legal powers to install meters irrespective of a customers wishes. I am assuming your father is having a meter fitted as part of this programme so he will likely have no way to prevent a meter being installed unless the survey shows the property is not suitable to be metered.

moonrakerz

If you ask them to fit a meter, you have the option of returning to the old "rates" system of charging within 12 months.

Cardew

moonrakerz wrote: »

If you ask them to fit a meter, you have the option of returning to the old "rates" system of charging within 12 months.

With Anglian it is 24 months(12 months for most companies):

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/household/your-account/water-meters/choosing/

However I doubt that would apply if address is part of the compulsory metering program or account holder has changed.

deanos

Its not a compulsory meter AW , its part of an extended metering program called Pay As you flow, if your dad read the leaflets he would have known and can refuse if he wishes

More details here:
http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/household/your-account/water-meters/Pay-as-you-flow.aspx

"We're currently fitting water meters in selected neighbourhoods across the region. Find out if Pay-as-you-flow is coming to your neighbourhood.

There's three easy steps to Pay-as-you-flow:

Survey - We'll find the best place for your free water meter.
Install - If possible, we'll fit the meter outside your property.
Choose - We'll give you an information pack to help you decide.
"

McKneff

There are 2 of us in a 3 bed semi and my metred water bill for a whole year is £240
How much has he paid in charges for the last 12 months.

Our normlal bill was nearly half as much again, we're saving a fortune.

macman

Fitting a meter does not mean that you will necessarily be switched to metered billing.

lemontart

you will probally find the bill goes down with a meter

dshart

Water meters may give you savings initially, but I think that in the long term once majority of people are on water meters you will find that they slowly push up the price.

If everyone was on a meter and saving water the bills would drop but the water companies still need to make their profits so they will make you pay more for using less water.

Don't get me wrong I am all for people reducing their water consumption and not wasting what is a valuable resource, but having to pay more for using less is wrong especially when millions of gallons of water are lost daily through leaks and poor distribution networks when the water companies are making huge profits.