Forum Topic

Thames Water & Compulsory Meters

A few weeks ago I received a standard type letter from Thames Water to inform me that they will be fitting meters to all properties in my street that do not presently have one.  The letter went on to say that there is no way to opt out and refuse one because WBC is one of the Councils that has granted TW the authority to do this. I do not want one because a few years ago I did call TW to enquire about having a meter because living on my own I thought it probably made sense. I was asked lots of questions about my water usage and at the end the advisor told me that because I bathe rather than shower  it would probably cost me more to have a metered supply and I was advised not to change.  I was quite impressed by this honest response especially when meters were being heavily marketed.Now I am being forced into having a meter which is contradictory to TW's previous advice to me. A further letter today tells me that the meter installations in my street will commence on 9th September and should be concluded by the 30th. Has anybody else had the same letter?

Sue Hammond ● 1382d38 Comments

As I understand it, in many third countries there simply isn't enough fresh water supply for them ever to enjoy water-based sewage/sanitation systems as we do. Thus various dry (human) waste disposal systems are being experimented with. A system of transporting all household waste plus rainwater run-off a long way away to be processed and returned again (ie to a sewage works) is maybe not the most resource-efficient way to deal with the issue.

Michael Winstanley ● 1367d

Yes it seems such a waste when water is so precious to be using drinking water in the loo as we do in the UK.

Philippa Bond ● 1367d

that was a good read, thanks.Reminds me that I read a while ago that in Japan (I think) it's common to have the waste water from your bathroom sink lead directly into the cistern of your toilet, thus saving/reusing water.

Matt Palmer ● 1367d

:)https://www.rapidtransition.org/stories/the-first-flush-of-transition-the-rise-of-british-indoor-plumbing-and-what-it-tells-us-about-rapid-transition/

Philippa Bond ● 1367d

It would mean that one could water one's garden with collected rain-water rather than from the tap, saving both money and water. Apologies for knowing this.

Michael Winstanley ● 1367d

Hi I was told about 4 yrs ago that as we are a shared house ie; 2 flats that a water meter could not be fitted, (they came and inspected) and a reduction would be made on my bill because of that. so how it is going to work if they do not come into the house I do not know as we would both be paying for each other's water usage ?

Maureen Smith ● 1367d

https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/15/wateraid-ice-sculptures-at-tower-bridge-highlight-fragility-of-water-resourcesUnfortunately it is worse in other places.

Philippa Bond ● 1368d

What is the connection between having a water meter and you getting some water butts Philippa?  I could regret asking that ...

Sue Hammond ● 1368d

I've now got to try and work out whether/how difficult it would be to change some of the rainwater downpipes/guttering so that we can have some water butts.  Apparently not everywhere has the mixed system that we tend to have in London. There are a lot more different kinds of water butts around now from flashy ceramic ones with space for plants on top and the narrow ones that fix to the wall to the bog standard big black barrel types - and the colours!  I'm  not sure whether Thames Water still has any offers.  I did notice one being given away free on www.trashnothing.com recently...  On some of these websites you can list items wanted as well as the usual nolongerwanted...

Philippa Bond ● 1368d

Thanks Martine.

Lisa Cottam ● 1370d

When you walk around the streets you may see that the Thames Water access covers in the pavement have been painted.  We noticed this a long time before we started to get letters.

Philippa Bond ● 1371d

Our water is off at the moment as a meter is being fitted. We had at least 2 letters about this.  One was addressed to my husband, as per the usual bill, and another to the Occupier.

Martine Guy ● 1371d

We received one, said they would let us know, as would turn water off in our road for 20mins.

Barbara Stevens ● 1371d

Can someone tell me, if you received a letter, was it addressed to you personally? I always throw those addressed To The Legal Owner etc in the bin.

Lisa Cottam ● 1371d

If you can't find answers to the questions that you have on the roll out of meters in their info or on their website - then contact them!

Philippa Bond ● 1379d

"so we've had 30 years of inaction."Inaction is actually the policy a variety of governments have been following for years in a number of areas.Even if there was leadership at the top for change I fear that the UK has forgotten how to implement it.

Ed Robinson ● 1381d

The first IPCC report was around 1990, so we've had 30 years of inaction.

Matt Palmer ● 1381d

I never understood the diesel thing because I knew as an asthmatic that diesel exhaust made me wheeze.  Anyway the car companies were lying about the performance of their cars.  I think some of thrm may still be being takennto court.  I did know that diesel was cheaper.

Philippa Bond ● 1381d

Yes Thomas, I agree, they don't know what they want people to do.

Barbara Stevens ● 1381d

I mean, not surprised they've changed their advice to you from a few years ago.... Look at the Government advise for Diesel to save the planet and reduce fuel consumption and right when everyone is tooled up for more diesel vehicles and people have bought them recently, they flip it and say, actually, Petrol is better, even if you need to visit the pumps more.

Thomas Jones ● 1381d

Scientists have been warning us but it seems we didn't want to hear.  No wonder there was a film:  The Inconvenient Truth.  I was horrified to hear this from them when I went to a talk and film at the Science Museum some years ago.  Horrified and embarrassed at my lack of attention to what was happening to a country which for me has many happy memories.

Philippa Bond ● 1381d

So everybody is ignorant, except you Philippa?  Everyone can be wise with hindsight.

Sue Hammond ● 1381d

No just generally Sue.  I wonder what sort of world we are creating snd will be leaving for our children to inherit.  How can we let our squabbling self-centred politicians dither and dawdle and allow us to fall into greater danger?  Will we be saying ...if only we'd listened to the scientists 30 or 40 years ago when there was time to do this or that?

Philippa Bond ● 1381d

@Philippa"When you can see Govts failing to deal with the country's and the world's problems do you just bask in ignorance?"If that's directed at me I can certainly do without your endless lectures. Cheeky mare!🤬

Sue Hammond ● 1381d

Since they seem to put them in pavements I would  imagine they are going street by street.  You may have noticed various streets have the water supply access  points marked with paint.  I've seen a lot of tthat recently.  Why not phone them up to find out?

Philippa Bond ● 1381d

I've not had a letter. How are TW deciding the criteria?

Simon Knight ● 1381d

Do you just put up with the quality of some of the correspondence you get or do you give feedback?  When you can see Govts failing to deal with the country's and the world's problems do you just bask in ignorance? Or do you find out more and do something about it?

Philippa Bond ● 1381d

Were you ever a lecturer Philippa?

Sue Hammond ● 1381d

I believe that most meters are put in the pavement.  Water is precious and something that we rather take for granted in this country.  Even when it rains it doesn't necessarily mean that the reservoirs are full.  Our water can be piped in from a long distance away and people in other counties can be a bit iffy about having to have a new reservoir built near to them because of 'those people in London'!  Meters make it much easier for the water companies to find leaks.  In the past I've seen operatives walking the streets in the early hours when it is quieter listening for them!Check put the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).  I've found Thames Water's paperwork  much easier to read than a lot of other stuff.  The ragged right hand margin is dyslexia friendly.  Other companies would do well to follow this if they want to get their messages across more easily!

Philippa Bond ● 1381d

Another positive endorsement! I'm actually looking forward to getting one now! Thanks Jim x

Sue Hammond ● 1381d

Hi Sue,I'm also a single person who takes a bath (rather than a shower) every day. When I had a meter installed a couple of years ago my bills did drop significantly. I pay around £250 per year now, and I think it was around £330 before I had the meter, so you may get a nice surprise.I have also had that letter.

Jim Cleary ● 1381d

Thanks, very helpful Mike. x

Sue Hammond ● 1382d

I had a water meter fitted 5 years ago when we had some renovation works and we put in new supplies so each flat (2 flats in a Victorian terrace). I live alone and found my bill nearly halved compared to the standard estimate that they used before.  I don’t think you would be out of pocket Sue

Mike Warman ● 1382d

Yes, we've had those letters. I haven't got the letter in front of me as on a train but I think it says the meters can be fitted without access 'in most cases". Perhaps the exceptions include some flats? 

Michael Ixer ● 1382d

I live in a flat in a converted house and opted to have a water meter installed quite a few years ago as my circumstances meant that water bills went down once I had had one fitted. I don’t know whether anyone else in the premises has a water meter. it appears from this webpage https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7342/ that Thames Water is in “an area of serious water stress”, and that is why they are able to mandate water meters.

Catherine Schade ● 1382d

They fit it to the external pipe work apparently.  Okay for single occupancy houses but can't see it would work for divided ownerships and flats?

Sue Hammond ● 1382d

We've had a letter too, ours said that they wouldnt need access to the house but am not sure how that works!

Matt Palmer ● 1382d

I've not had a letter (yet?) but see this on their website: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-meters/getting-a-water-meterThis could be disruptive where existing meters are behind kitchen cupboards etc.  Also for shared supplies which often result in those meters in cupboards.

Alan Sherman ● 1382d