Install new internal meter and remove external meter

[steeleyman]

Hi all, I currently have an external water meter (which is a sub-meter) of my neighbours meter. The mains supply runs into their garden and then splits off into my sub-meter.

We are planning on building an extension near to the existing external sub-meter and I have sought advice from Yorkshire Water on how we can move this. They advised to install a new internal meter under the sink and then remove the external sub-meter.

For clarification, we are not building over the meter location, but very close to it. The consequence of building the extension is that it will leave a 45cm gap between my neighbours extension and our new extension, with the sub-meter in the gap, therefore making it difficult to access, so moving it seemed like the sensible option.

YW will install the new internal meter, however, they said that my builder or plumber needs to remove the old external meter. I requested clarification on this as I thought it was their property. They have confirmed that they will not remove the old meter for me.

My question is, is this simply a case of unscrewing the meter and leaving the access panel in place? I've watched some YouTube videos which shows meter removal, which seems to be just a case of unscrewing the meter and then placing a threaded plug into the hole where the meter was threaded.

The YW guy talked about removing it and then the need to join the pipework, which seems more involved than unscrewing it. This will need to be done immediately after the new meter is installed, otherwise it will reduce the water pressure.

Hopefully I've explained this clearly. Any advice appreciated.

 

[fowlerboi]

100% I would be digging a hole and joining the pipe from behind where the old meter was, specially if you're building over it. If possible I would be renewing the entire length of pipe from where it splits off from your neighbour. If its a sub meter I'm going to guess its your responsibility

 

[steeleyman]

100% I would be digging a hole and joining the pipe from behind where the old meter was, specially if you're building over it. If possible I would be renewing the entire length of pipe from where it splits off from your neighbour. If its a sub meter I'm going to guess its your responsibility

Thanks for your advice.

We're not building over the location of the existing meter, but close enough so that it would make it difficult to access if it was left as is.

Would you consider the work to do this to be a combination of a builder (digging) and a plumber (pipework)? I wonder if plastic pipes can be used, I'll check with YW.

 

[fowlerboi]

Thanks for your advice.

We're not building over the location of the existing meter, but close enough so that it would make it difficult to access if it was left as is.

Would you consider the work to do this to be a combination of a builder (digging) and a plumber (pipework)? I wonder if plastic pipes can be used, I'll check with YW.

A groundworker will normally do the whole thing. You would use plastic MDPE