Strange thing on outdoor water meter

[FredD123]

Hey guys,
Recently moved to a very old place in France with terrible water pressure. A plumber (sort of) came round and had a look at our outdoor Water meter. The stopcock part definitely open, but after the meter there is this strange tap with a side return. Every time we turn in too much, loads of water comes out the return. We think if we blocked it or added something to it, then turned the tap more fully we'd achieve more pressure. Are we right? Could anyone tell us what it is?
Thanks so much.

Fred

 

[jj4091]

It looks like it is a valve for draining down your water pipes once the stopcock is turned off. It shouldn't really obstruct the flow though. It looks like you might be able to remove the tap head and fit a blanking plug, though I have no idea what size it will be

 

[fixitflav]

Recently moved to a very old place in France with terrible water pressure.

Is the pressure typical for the area? If so, it's unlikely your pipework is to blame.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Pressure is not the same as flow.

 

[fixitflav]

Pressure is not the same as flow.

But you can't have one without the other! I suppose he means flow is poor, it's no comfort having high pressure at low or no flow.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

But you can't have one without the other!

You cannot have flow, without pressure - but you can have pressure without flow.

 

[fixitflav]

You cannot have flow, without pressure - but you can have pressure without flow.

Yes, of course, I was being a bit flippant, but I think we know what his problem is.