Checking for leaks prior to meter installation

EMBEE_3

Are water companies meant to check for leaks before installing a new meter at a property?
My elderly neighbour had a meter fitted about 3/4 months ago and has just been sent a bill for almost £5000!
United Utilities have invetsigated and discovered a leak which was meant to have been repaired.
However, the meter reading is still too high and her consumption appears to be about 4 times that of my household of 4 people, so either she has a new leak or they haven't repaired the original one properly. She was told by the engineer who did the repair that the pipes were in a very poor state .
When she phoned to report all of this, she was told (rather unhelpfully) that she should get a plumber as she was responsible for any repairs and for replacing the pipes and given no further advice.
While I realise that this is true; she simply can't afford it and is regretting ever getting the meter!

macman

No, the supply downstream of the meter is the property owner's responsibility-does she really expect the water co. to inspect the entire domestic plumbing system for leaks before installing a meter?
If she can't afford the repair then then the only option is to have the meter disregarded and return to RV billing, which can be done up to a year after the installation.
But how on earth can even a bad leak produce a bill of £5K in 3-4 months?

cajef

If she has got water leaking somewhere it needs to be investigated otherwise there may be serious problems with damp, unfortunately if the leak is after the meter then it is generally the property owners responsibility.

EMBEE_3

Clearly that amount of water leakage hasn't just been produced in a few months! That was partly my point - it must have been leaking for some time. I actually thought it would be reasonable for them to check when installing the meter so that householders were forewarned and repairs could be carried out.
And no, I don't think she had any expectation of the to inspect her whole plumbing system. If you read my post you'll see that was never suggested and yes, she is aware that she is responsible for pipes on her side of the meter.

macman

EMBEE wrote: »

Clearly that amount of water leakage hasn't just been produced in a few months! That was partly my point - it must have been leaking for some time. I actually thought it would be reasonable for them to check when installing the meter so that householders were forewarned and repairs could be carried out.
And no, I don't think she had any expectation of the to inspect her whole plumbing system. If you read my post you'll see that was never suggested and yes, she is aware that she is responsible for pipes on her side of the meter.

No- the bill can only be for the 3-4 month period since the meter was installed-so either the leakage is massive, or there is a reading error. More info needed.

energysavingexp

it does not make sense £5000

lets say she pays £2.50 for water and wast water pre 1000 ltrs

that works out at 2000000 lts of water or 2000 ton. thats one hell of a leak.

that would fill a tank 12.5ft x 12.5ft x 12.5ft

if the meter was fitted 4 months ago that works out at 11.57 lts per min (aprox)

EMBEE_3

It would have to be an enormous leak! And yet, Utd Utilities say that it is a leak and they have reaired it. It isn't a mis reading - another neighbour and I both checked it when she recieved the bill and it was certainly whizzing around, even when no water was being used in her house.
I agree, it does need further investigation and not just a suggestion to ' get plumber because it's your responsibility.'

energysavingexp

EMBEE wrote: »

It would have to be an enormous leak! And yet, Utd Utilities say that it is a leak and they have reaired it. It isn't a mis reading - another neighbour and I both checked it when she recieved the bill and it was certainly whizzing around, even when no water was being used in her house.
I agree, it does need further investigation and not just a suggestion to ' get plumber because it's your responsibility.'

Utd Utilities will give you a leakage allowance just call them for the form and she will get her money back

i did this with my nexdoor neighbour he is 83 and when he had his meter fit he also had a leak when i checked his meter a week later he had used 34 ton so they came out and repaired the leak an i claimed the money back for him
http://www.unitedutilities.com/searchresults.aspx?q=leakage%20allowance

macman

This needs to be repaired as a priority because a leak of that magnitude must be doing serious damage to the foundations of the property. £300 of water a week or so is a huge amount.

energysavingexp

now that the leak has been repaired turn all the water off in the house (stop tap ) and look at the meter and see if the dial is still turning

if it is then you have another leak if its not then you dont have one

EMBEE_3

Thanks for all the advice folks. Commonsense prevailed with the first huge bill and she wasn't made to pay but she is worried about subsequent ones.
We have tried checking the meter with everything turned off and, although it's not as bad as it was, the meter is still turning and, looking at the current reading, we think she is on course for around another £400 or so this quarter.
If the original leak has not been securely repaired, it may be that the situation will worsen again.
I am hoping that neighbour will be eligible for a grant or help of some sort as the safest solution seems to be to have all of the piping replaced.