Are water meters being added without home users permission? Post Reply

[i miss the wombles]

Hi everyone, wondering if anyone has experienced similar.

I came home yesterday to find the pavement outside my house dug up and covered over with one of those large plastic yellow boards and a note shoved through my door.

Essentially it says that they have fitted a smart meter box in advance of fitting my water meter and it will be fitted next week?

I haven't agreed to have one and I am not sure that I want one.

Has anyone else sound themselves with a meter that they weren't expecting? Has anyone been able to decline a meter? If so, how did you go about it.

I've tried calling the number on the card that says that they are open but they aren't picking up 

Thanks for reading and for any help that anyone can offer.

[Goldhawk]

You can't decline the meter
However you have 12 mths before they will switch to billing you via the meter readings

[i miss the wombles]

Thanks so much Goldhawk. Appreciate the swift reply.
Interestingly I have just walked along a nearby road and they seem to be prepping almost every house. Obviously Thames Water are on a mission!

[chorister]

"Obviously Thames Water are on a mission!"  Actually I think you will find that - quite sensibly - they are trying to manage use of a scarce resource.  Anyone bothered about the environment should applaud them.

[DietCokefan]

I would be frustrated too if I came home to unexpected building work. My understanding is it’s not optional, and I can’t see how anyone can object to paying for what they actually use.

[TootsNewMum]

My understanding is that they have been given powers under statute to do this work. You should have received an envelope addressed to you by name in which there is a booklet with a detailed explanation of the background to why the work is necessary, why it’s compulsory and what happens next.

[i miss the wombles]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Totally understand that we should have water meters I was just surprised to come home to learn that they had spoken to one of my children and then pressed ahead.

They have been back today so I imagine it is all in situ now.

Thanks again for your replies and explanations.

 

[schoolsearching]

I just wanted to add that the whole of South East England is in extreme water stress. Notwithstanding the rainy climate, the amounts used per person multiplied by the population means that water abstraction is damaging the local environment. There is a big drive by water companies to reduce household consumption and their websites and twitter feeds are full of useful information and freebies. After having a meter for the last 5 years, I can say that if you are an efficient user of water (e.g. you have tap and shower head aerators and are generally sensible with your use), you can save a lot of money on your bill.

[ronangel]

They can only add a water meter outside in the street if it is one household ( could be put there but reading not used at present ). If there are 2 or more self contained flats would have to have a separate meter for each flat where the water supply splits from main inlet pipe to the flats in the building each person billed separately,as one flat might have  a single person,the other a family of 4 vastly different amounts of water used.
This is how electricity meters work, main cable in separate meter for each flat.