Unable to read meter

indigoblue11

I’ve just moved to a new build and finally found where my water metre is. See picture. 

My water although I’m in a Anglian water region my water is supplied by independent water networks limited. They are providing estimated bills which are incredibly high for a single person in a 1 bed house. 

Upon finding the meter it’s so deep in the ground that I can’t see anything on it, I also can’t see the serial number so unsure if it’s mine or next doors. 

I have complained to IWNL and they said I’m sorry but there’s not much we can do but don’t worry we will still give you and estimates bill. 

not sure on next steps. Do I have rights to an accurate bill? 

QrizB

Is it covered with a sheet of glass?

Can you remove it (the glass or whatever)?

Boohoo

indigoblue11 said:

I’ve just moved to a new build and finally found where my water metre is. See picture. 

My water although I’m in a Anglian water region my water is supplied by independent water networks limited. They are providing estimated bills which are incredibly high for a single person in a 1 bed house. 

Upon finding the meter it’s so deep in the ground that I can’t see anything on it, I also can’t see the serial number so unsure if it’s mine or next doors. 

I have complained to IWNL and they said I’m sorry but there’s not much we can do but don’t worry we will still give you and estimates bill. 

not sure on next steps. Do I have rights to an accurate bill? 

Try your next door neighbour and ask them is that their meter or not.

Not said how long you have lived in the home but did you try to do a water meter read on the day you moved in?

If you locate your meter you will have to get a better photo of it for your record's so you can check serial number and sent a reading to water company.

If you check with neighbours about meter you can ask to see their billing for the serial number is different from your estimated bills. That's if they agree but then it's a good way to meet and introduce yourself self to them.

I know it should not be your problem but if you can't get a good photo you may have to invest in a Boroscope or the like to get a better look at the meter.

QrizB

If it is under a pane of glass, try:

- clean glass

- place camera on glass

- take photo 

This should encourage the camera to focus on the meter rather than the glass, and avoid any reflections from the pane.

Keep_pedalling

I think that is a spider’s web rather than glass, remove that and the camera should be able to focus on the meter.

QrizB

Keep_pedalling said:

I think that is a spider’s web rather than glass, remove that and the camera should be able to focus on the meter.

You could be right!

indigoblue11

I will try these things, the meter is so deep I can’t even get my hand down there. It’s like more than arm length and no room to take a picture when you get down 

Swipe

Try using your camera's zoom function

Rodders53

indigoblue11 said:

I will try these things, the meter is so deep I can’t even get my hand down there. It’s like more than arm length and no room to take a picture when you get down 

A mop or something like it tied to a suitable stick will do to clean off the meter glass and the tube itself even...  A wet & dry vac might work too (or if dry down there any vac with a suitable long tube and dusting brush head).

I can make out (poorly focused) dials on your picture so a better pic should work...

Take the highest res picture possible and you may be able to zoom in on that if in focus et.,. Take multiple shots and find out how to manual focus on the bit you need (those dials and any labelling). 
Use a torch to illuminate without reflecting back into the lens.
Assuming the camera will go down the tube get it closer (careful not to drop it in).  Even just a few inches in may make all the difference.

Borrow a SLR type camera from friends and family with a zoom lens to get 'closer'?

Ask the neighbours.  If theirs are as far down they may have found a way to take suitable photos.

matelodave

Getting rid of the cobwebs and putting the camera a bit closer should enable it to focus on the meter rather than the cobweb.

My meter is fairly deep and not easy to read (especially with varifocals) but as suggested above I use a brush to clean the wildlife from the meter and use my phone to take a piccy. Dont use flash as it reflects from the meter glass.

Lorian

Mines maybe even deeper than that, no cobwebs, photos are fine to read it  could not read it by eye.