Will they MAKE me fit a water meter?

Frugal_Foxy

Anglian Water say they are fitting meters to all properties in the area. They say they are legally allowed to fit them (Water Act 1991). They then say "We wont, however, be able to install the meter on your land without your permission."

If I don't give permission, will they still be able to fit one, ie will they take me to court or something? Anyone have any experience on this?

Thanks!

bryanb

Perhaps they could fit one just before the pipework enters your land.

jblack_2

Most meters are outside the property boundary.

Frugal_Foxy

The 'taps' in the roadway outside our properties serve several homes, and no-one knows where the pipes go under ground from that point. Property 300 years old.

bryanb

Frugal_Foxy wrote: »

The 'taps' in the roadway outside our properties serve several homes, and no-one knows where the pipes go under ground from that point. Property 300 years old.

That's the water company's problem then.

Frugal_Foxy

bryanb wrote: »

That's the water company's problem then.

Because the water company can't easily see where to isolate the properties from the one tap in the road, they would have to come onto my property and dig up my path to find out where the pipes are and where they go.

I need to know if they are legally allowed to come onto my property without my permission. I need to hear from someone who either knows the law or who has had experience with this area.

Thank you

greyteam1959

They will be able to trace the pipes without digging anything up.
There are various ways of doing this electronically.
They will still need to come onto your property though.

silvercar

I thought that if you are already a customer then they can't fit a water meter without your agreement. However if you have recently moved in, then they can insist on a water meter as part of their agreement to provide a service.
In compulsory metering areas, water meters are installed when houses are bought or new tenancy agreements taken.

Cardew

The deeds of your house will state the position on 'Easement' and the right of the water company to come on your land.

Normally there is easement if a sewer or common water supply runs under your land.

Take a hypothetical situation where there was a large leak under your land, and you wouldn't allow the water company on your land. In that case they would be within their rights to cut off the supply to your house.

It may well be that exactly the same situation would occur if you denied access to your land simply because you wished to circumvent the law the allows a meter to be fitted. - i.e. you could be cut-off/have supply restricted.

No 'one size fits all solution' and it could well finish up in court. However it is unlikely IMO that a water company would let you continue to be unmetered for fear of setting a precedent; nor should they allow you to obstruct a sensible and fair law.

macman

Is your objection to have a water meter fitted, or to them coming onto your property?
Would you prefer to be without a supply?

Mrs_Arcanum

Rules for enforced metering due to water stress from page 19

Would seem that part of Anglian Water is in an area of water stress: -
Water Stress areas PDF

Looks like you are stuck and judging by this we may well be in for this ourselves soon.