Water meter and the law

[highflyer]

Just had United Utilities on and they have told me that I have to have a water meter fitted by law I thought it was a choice water rates or meter I prefer to have the rate system so question is is it law and do I have a choice
Any help would be appreciated as they are planning do change over on the 20th June and I intend to stop them fitting it but would like some information as back up
Thanks

[Rowley Birkin]

highflyer said:

Just had United Utilities on and they have told me that I have to have a water meter fitted by law I thought it was a choice water rates or meter I prefer to have the rate system so question is is it law and do I have a choice
Any help would be appreciated as they are planning do change over on the 20th June and I intend to stop them fitting it but would like some information as back up
Thanks

Unless there has been a change to the law very recently you don't have to have one.

Edited by Rowley Birkin on Tuesday 16th June 07:17

[9mm]

Some authorities have obtained a change in the law allowing them to impose meter installation. Southern Water certainly have, neatly using MMCC and a couple of hot summers.

Once we're all metered, just wait for the unit price to be jacked up.

[Rowley Birkin]

9mm said:

Some authorities have obtained a change in the law allowing them to impose meter installation. Southern Water certainly have, neatly using MMCC and a couple of hot summers.
.

Have you a source for that? The OFWAT site seems still to be saying it isn't mandatory.

[9mm]

Rowley Birkin said:

9mm said:

Some authorities have obtained a change in the law allowing them to impose meter installation. Southern Water certainly have, neatly using MMCC and a couple of hot summers.
.

Have you a source for that? The OFWAT site seems still to be saying it isn't mandatory.

Background:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/...

[HTP99]

I thought that every household has to have one by X date, however the household still has the choice of how their water is billed; we had a meter installed a few years ago but we aren't metered. We are Thames Water.

Edited by HTP99 on Tuesday 16th June 08:17

[9mm]

Rowley Birkin said:

9mm said:

Some authorities have obtained a change in the law allowing them to impose meter installation. Southern Water certainly have, neatly using MMCC and a couple of hot summers.
.

Have you a source for that? The OFWAT site seems still to be saying it isn't mandatory.

Search the FAQ and you'll find the compulsory bit buried away.

http://www.yourwatermeter.com/q-and-a

Apparently we're all going to save water.

What odds bills will go down if we do? That would be like M & S lowering their prices because we're buying less food from them.

Edited by 9mm on Tuesday 16th June 07:47

[highflyer]

9mm exactly that price hike as soon as its in
Red Devil yes I will do my utmost to resist
To be honest guys its on a rented house and a family of 5 are at the property so I assume it will cost them more than the current rates so I am doing it for them and myself
thanks for the responce

[TooMany2cvs]

highflyer said:

Just had United Utilities on and they have told me that I have to have a water meter fitted by law

Have you recently moved house?

[Red Devil]

Rowley Birkin said:

Unless there has been a change to the law very recently you don't have to have one.

See pp19 & 20 here - https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/mediacentre/leaflets/prs_...
also pp25 & 26 here - http://www.unitedutilities.com/documents/UUW_Limit...

OP, if you resist you can bet the utility company do their level best to put you on a ruinous tariff.
Also it is highly likely to be 'economical with the truth' in its dealings with you.
See the comment about metering in the letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State here.
http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/official-defra-confi...

[herewego]

I'm struggling to understand what those people have against smart meters.

[hornetrider]

herewego said:

I'm struggling to understand what those people have against smart meters.

I don't think you are.

[BertBert]

We were told that if we used a garden hose we had to have one.
Bert

[herewego]

hornetrider said:

herewego said:

I'm struggling to understand what those people have against smart meters.

I don't think you are.

[LoonR1]

herewego said:

I'm struggling to understand what those people have against smart meters.

It's the same as those who still have a non-photocard driving licence, or are angry at the removal of the tax disc and other changes that have happened.

One small step from wibblism.

[calibrax]

I will save a lot now I have a water meter fitted. Single bloke, living alone, I only use the washing machine once a week, and I have a water-saving shower unit, no bath. I'll be quids in at first.

So, the water company will be getting less money from me, but more money from people who have large families, which will offset what they lose from me. But when lots of people start to economise with their water usage to keep their bills down, the water company will get less profit. Then they will simply put the price up, and we'll all end up paying much more than the old fixed rate.

[LoonR1]

calibrax said:

I will save a lot now I have a water meter fitted. Single bloke, living alone, I only use the washing machine once a week, and I have a water-saving shower unit, no bath. I'll be quids in at first.

So, the water company will be getting less money from me, but more money from people who have large families, which will offset what they lose from me. But when lots of people start to economise with their water usage to keep their bills down, the water company will get less profit. Then they will simply put the price up, and we'll all end up paying much more than the old fixed rate.

Oh no and it's soooooooo expensive

[hornetrider]

herewego said:

hornetrider said:

herewego said:

I'm struggling to understand what those people have against smart meters.

I don't think you are.

Look, I'm not going to criticise the guy for trying to save a few quid on his water bill whilst remaining off meter. I could just about sense the incoming from you though up there on your horse

[eatcustard]

herewego said:

I'm struggling to understand what those people have against smart meters.

You are a bit dim I guess?

Edited by eatcustard on Tuesday 16th June 11:52

I would pay £££££ more if I wad one installed (Severn Trent)

Edited by eatcustard on Tuesday 16th June 11:52

[Sheepshanks]

We're in a United Utilities area and I was dead set against having a water meter - until the bill got to £80/mth and neighbours were paying £35.

They insist on putting them inside the house now if they can - so ours is in the downstairs toilet and the installation was rough, to say the least. Keep thinking about moving it a little - not sure how dodgy that is.