Thames Water meter installation

[UseLeSsDiYr]

A relative has received a letter from Thames Water wanting to install a smart meter at their property - apparently it's compulsory.

They live in a maisonette without an existing meter.

From my understanding, there's a stopcock in the kitchen which feeds the kitchen sink and washing machine.

There's also a feed up to the second floor where the water tank is, where in turn feeds the immersion heater there. There seems to be another stopcock there on the pipe feeding the tank.

Does this sound right? Does it mean Thames Water will need to install two meters? Or is there only ever one point of entry / feed into properties?

Also, I assume they'll affix the meter just after the stopcock? It's just at both locations, they're pretty difficult to access and slightly concerned with pipes and surrounding areas being damaged.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Fred Blogs]

Tell them to take a running if your relative doesn't want a meter. they are not compulsory yet although I would think the bunch of nutters that govern these things will make this meter lark compulsory sooner rather than later.

 

[helplessowner]

It may not be possible to refuse a water meter (smart or otherwise).
Apparently, for areas that are considered to be in serious water stress, the Environment Agency has given authority to the water company to make it compulsory to accept a water meter.
https://www.ccw.org.uk/news/ccw-statement-on-compulsory-metering/
Meters are normally installed outside the property on the incoming mains, not after the internal stopcock. There is normally another stopcock on the meter itself.

 

[big-all]

we

they are not compulsory yet

depends if they have just moved in

 

[fixitflav]

If it's any interest, I'm with STW and I had a meter inside the garage, not a smart meter but wired to a thing on the wall outside so they could read it anytime. It stopped working, and I had several bills with 0m3 (but it didn't stop them billing me a fair bit, standing charges etc). I told them but it took them a while to do anything. Eventually they said ignore that one and installed another ordinary meter in the valve chamber in the street.

 

[Murdochcat]

I wouldn’t worry about it. We were told in 2013 that TW would fit a water meter …. 12 years later still not got one

Let TW turn up to do a proper assessment and you might just find it’s too hard, especially as it’s a flat

 

[johnny2007]

They installed mine on the street without me noticing.
I'm now paying £160/month instead of the £400/annual.
They claim their meter is accurate.
What is not accurate is their readings, apparently taken by their agent.
Just about 800m³ more than what the meter says; not much.
In the process of taking back direct debit.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Meters are normally installed outside the property on the incoming mains, not after the internal stopcock. There is normally another stopcock on the meter itself.

Wrong - they can be installed in the pavement, inside the building, after the stop-cock, or anywhere between. Mine is indoors, under the kitchen sink, and after the stop-cock. It was put in at my request, because by my calculation it would reduce my bill to between 50 and 30% of what I was paying per annum. I wasn't far out with my calculation.

 

[Murdochcat]

They installed mine on the street without me noticing.
I'm now paying £160/month instead of the £400/annual.
They claim their meter is accurate.
What is not accurate is their readings, apparently taken by their agent.
Just about 800m³ more than what the meter says; not much.
In the process of taking back direct debit.

Maybe there is a leak on “your” side of the water meter?
Why don’t you take your own readings ?

 

[johnny2007]

Maybe there is a leak on “your” side of the water meter?
Why don’t you take your own readings ?

No leak, tested.
I now know that I have a meter and I've given them a reading accompanied by a picture, but accordingly to them, there's an extra 800m³ gone somewhere, even if not passed by the meter.
Their "agent" didn't take any reading, he just guessed it and they're adamant that I want to scam them.
They're the scammers.
Bloody Thames Water ; not only they dump sewage in the rivers, they charge us over the top for it and now they've had the green light to increase bills by 40%.
Thanks Labour!

 

[Murdochcat]

No leak, tested.
I now know that I have a meter and I've given them a reading accompanied by a picture, but accordingly to them, there's an extra 800m³ gone somewhere, even if not passed by the meter.
Their "agent" didn't take any reading, he just guessed it and they're adamant that I want to scam them.
They're the scammers.
Bloody Thames Water ; not only they dump sewage in the rivers, they charge us over the top for it and now they've had the green light to increase bills by 40%.
Thanks Labour!

I would ask them to confirm how they have come up with 800m3 if it’s not gone through their meter

And no sensible answer from them, complain to their CEO in writing

As for dumping in rivers, do you have any idea how much extra rainwater we’ve had over the last 2 - 3 years and once the ground is boggy, there is no where for it to go?

 

[UseLeSsDiYr]

Thanks for the replies.

So is it possible that there are two feeds into the property requiring two meters to be installed?

 

[helplessowner]

is below any help?
https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-meters/installing-meters-in-our-region

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks for the replies.

So is it possible that there are two feeds into the property requiring two meters to be installed?

The way to find out, is by carefully turning ST's off one at a time, and seeing which water stops running. The water may not stop immediately, because some will be stored in pipes. Some ST's might shut off hot water supplies too.

 

[amfisted]

We live in Conwy, and Welsh Water are currently fitting compulsory smart meters for all consumers. We already have an indoor meter in a cupboard in the bathroom, but when the chap came to change it, it turned out that the smart meter is much bulkier than the old one. Because of that size difference it wasn’t possible to fit the new meter in the cupboard in a position where I could read it, so they’re putting it outside instead. I’d advise asking them to do that rather than fiddling with your plumbing with the potential to cause leaks. It’s in their interests to measure from the outdoor valve anyhow, because that would alert them to leaks outside your property as well as within.