Water meter removal?

[macka09]

Hi guys. Never been asked before so ive never looked into it. Are we able to remove a water meter in a domestic property? Thanks.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Hi guys. Never been asked before so ive never looked into it. Are we able to remove a water meter in a domestic property? Thanks.

I would say not. But I could be wrong.

 

[CHRISX]

Hi guys. Never been asked before so ive never looked into it. Are we able to remove a water meter in a domestic property? Thanks.

Hello macka09,

It is probably 99% certain that the Water Meter has been installed by the local Water Authority and if so You / the Householder cannot remove it - in fact even the local Water Authority will NOT remove their Water Meter.

Because some Water Authorities [possibly All ?] were given a Government Directive to install Water Meters in ALL suitable properties [starting in 2015 ?] to try and get people to reduce their Water consumption they have quoted that `Law`and stated that `having a Meter is now mandatory` unless the property is on a `Shared Main` and that the internal Plumbing does not allow for separate Metering of those properties.

I have read about this and it has happened in my area of South London / and is ongoing throughout London and probably in every City / Water Authority area ?

While Houses would normally have the Water Meter installed outside in the pavement or wherever the external Stopcock is located - some Houses and a lot of Flats have the Meter fitted inside the property.

Not only is this now stated to be `Mandatory` with Meters planned to be fitted throughout at least England [I am not sure about Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland ?] - but just like Gas and Electric Meters which are fitted within a Home the Water Authority has `Powers of Entry` in some circumstances and can easily obtain `Legal Entry` if they propose to a Magistrate that a Householder is tampering with the Meter or refusing access to let them read it.

I believe that there have been BIG Fines for people who have removed / allowed their Water Meters to be removed by Contractors - not only because of the loss of the Meter but there is also a BIG Penalty if the Water Authority feel that a large amount of Un-metered Water has been used after the removal of the Meter

I think that it would be the Householder who would be prosecuted if the Water Authority found that their Meter had been removed when they wanted to read it as in `Law` they are regarded as `Guardians` of the Meter / Water Authority`s property within their Home.

If You can check if possible whether the Householder does receive a Water Bill based on Meter readings - unless it is a vacant property ?

But even if you cannot check this I would advise You to NOT remove the Water Meter.

Chris

 

[firemant]

Hi guys. Never been asked before so ive never looked into it. Are we able to remove a water meter in a domestic property? Thanks.

Do you mean MOVE or REMOVE. If you REMOVE it, do you intend to for another type,or get the punter to sign up for fixed pricing.

Struggling to understand why you would remove it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Must have written consent from the water supplier / meter owner

If you have that remove it no problem

 

[CHRISX]

Must have written consent from the water supplier / meter owner

If you have that remove it no problem

Hello Shaun,

As I wrote in my message above - even the Water Authority will not remove their Meters.

The Government has stipulated that ALL Homes in at least England [not sure about the rest of the UK ?] will have to be Metered to try and reduce Water consumption `Country wide` [possibly UK wide ?].

There will not be any `written permissions` given to remove Water Meters.

Regards,

Chris

EDIT: Having read some further information online the Government have given this directive to Water Authorities in areas where the Water Supply is getting `stressed` / close to the maximum demand - such as Thames Water and other City`s Water Authorities.

Perhaps Water Authorities such as Thames Water should pay more attention to the Millions of Litres that are `lost` from leaking old Mains pipework.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Hello Shaun,

As I wrote in my message above - even the Water Authority will not remove their Meters.

The Government has stipulated that ALL Homes in at least England [not sure about the rest of the UK ?] will have to be Metered to try and reduce Water consumption `Country wide` [possibly UK wide ?].

There will not be any `written permissions` given to remove Water Meters.

Regards,

Chris

Don't know then as I've had permission before and removed one guess it some must allow it

 

[macka09]

It’s my brothers new house and the meter has been fitted in a down stairs wc which is a complete attrocity.

 

[CHRISX]

Don't know then as I've had permission before and removed one guess it some must allow it

Hello again Shaun,

While You were writing your reply to me I was Editing my previous message above.

You are probably correct in that it may NOT be `Mandatory` / planned to install Water Meters in ALL Water Authority areas - the `Government directive` that I wrote about is actually permission to allow Water Authorities in areas where the Water supply is stated to be `stressed` / close to the maximum demand to impose Water Meters on Households.

I have to assume that as You wrote - in areas where the Water supply cannot be classed as `stressed` and the Government has not given permission for the Water Authority to `impose` Water Meters - then Householders could possibly obtain written permission / have the Water Authority remove the Meter.

When I stated that `even Water Authorities will not remove their Meters` I had been told that by the Thames Water Plumber that fitted my Neighbours `Compulsory` Water Meter - and it was Him who told me that this will be rolled out across England.

Regards,

Chris

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Hello again Shaun,

While You were writing your reply to me I was Editing my previous message above.

You are probably correct in that it may NOT be `Mandatory` / planned to install Water Meters in ALL Water Authority areas - the `Government directive` that I wrote about is actually permission to allow Water Authorities in areas where the Water supply is stated to be `stressed` / close to the maximum demand to impose Water Meters on Households.

I have to assume that as You wrote - in areas where the Water supply cannot be classed as `stressed` and the Government has not given permission for the Water Authority to `impose` Water Meters - then Householders could possibly obtain written permission / have the Water Authority remove the Meter.

When I stated that `even Water Authorities will not remove their Meters` I had been told that by the Thames Water Plumber that fitted my Neighbours `Compulsory` Water Meter - and it was Him who told me that this will be rolled out across England.

Regards,

Chris

That's probably it as my area is in the sticks a bit

 

[ShaunCorbs]

It’s my brothers new house and the meter has been fitted in a down stairs wc which is a complete attrocity.

If you have to have it have it fitted externally

 

[CHRISX]

It’s my brothers new house and the meter has been fitted in a down stairs wc which is a complete attrocity.

Hello macka09,

The Mains water must enter the House in the W.C. ?

As Shaun wrote your Brother should ask for the Meter to be fitted externally to the House.

OR - as You are a Plumber you could alter the incoming / internal Mains pipework within the House to fit the Meter elsewhere - perhaps in the under stair cupboard ?

However I would advise that you contact the local Water Authority to get a `Water Inspector` / Water Authority Plumber to visit and approve the alteration / Meter move - and they will probably want to revisit to check that it has been done without `Bypassing` any Mains internal / un-metered pipework.

Or they may want You to alter the internal Mains pipework and then they reinstall the Water Meter ?

I advise You to contact them rather than just alter the Mains pipework and Move the Water Meter because otherwise if it is found that the Meter is not located where the records show there could be a problem.

Regards,

Chris

 

[CHRISX]

Hello All,

An example of a Water Authority stating that fitting Water Meters will be `Compulsory` is in these few lines extracted from Thames Water FAQ`s about Water Meters:

QUOTE:

`As a result our area has been classed as being seriously water stressed and the Secretary of State has granted water companies permission to fit water meters`.

An outline of this can be found in Ofwat8217;s leaflet: Water meters - your questions answered

`Our powers to install meters can also be found in section 162 of the Water Industry Act 1991, which grants permission for water companies to meter domestic premises on a compulsory basis in areas which have been determined by the Secretary of State to be of serious water stress (this includes the Thames Water region)`.

Chris

 

[rpm]

It’s my brothers new house and the meter has been fitted in a down stairs wc which is a complete attrocity.

If it is the one on another forum (with photo) recently then agree the fitter should be shot!

 

[gingalig]

I had to move one due to poor location and some appalling very old supply pipework, it was a secondary meter but it was still with the agreement of the local anglian water inspector who then came back and inspected it to make sure it all conformed.