Can water board force me to have a water metre?

[stripeyknickersspottysocks]

Not a business property, just an ordinary house.

There is an article in the local paper today saying that the water board are fitting compulsary water meters in our area. Householders won't have a choice on whether its fitted or not but it is optional as to whether you choose to be billed via the metre or stay with rateable value. The idea that when the house is sold the next owners have no choice and have to have the metre.

Now I would have no problem with having a metre if they can fit an external metre but have already been told that they can't fit an external metre as I'm on shared supply and it would have to be an internal metre in the kitchen cupboard. We had one at the old house and it took up a lot of room, no way do I want it.

Am I within my rights to refuse access and tell them they can fit an external metre or nothing?

I'm afraid not. The water company has a statutory right of entry to your property.

On a more positive note, water meters are pretty small these days - much smaller than gas meters.

My water meter is about the size of a small box of teabags. I'm sure you can cope with that!

I guess a small box of teabag size is ok. We had one at our old house that took up half the cupboard, but it was 12 years ago that they fitted that so sounds like they've improved. Thanks.

Our water meter is outside but it's tiny.
I would definately recommend having one. Even in a bigger house and with 2 small children our bills are half of what they were when it was just me and dh.