Now they’re trying to make us all get smart water meters
...and, guess what, it’ll lead to higher bills
WATER companies are forcing ‘smart’ water meters on to customers in a move critics fear will trigger recordhigh water bills. Following in the footsteps of the much criticised ‘smart’ energy meter, these gadgets adopt wireless technology to spy on how much water you use.
The devices save utility companies a fortune because they no longer have to employ meter readers to visit your home. And once the technology is installed it is then easy for companies to ramp up charges – perhaps hiking up rates at vulnerable times such as during a summer drought.
Water bills have doubled in the past 15 years and now average £415 a year – with companies exploiting the fact customers cannot shop around for a cheaper supplier.
Former Government energy privatisation adviser Alex Henney has long campaigned against smart energy meters. He says they are a waste of money and fears the same is true for water meters.
He says: ‘The main reason these meters are being introduced by utility companies is because they save them money. It also provides a tool that enables them to charge more in the future.
‘There is nothing smart about them. They do not save you water – they are no more than automated meter readers.’
He fears there are echoes of the discredited ‘smart’ energy meter roll-out – blighted by unreliable equipment, hacking fears and an eye-watering installation bill of £11 billion to be footed by homes. Henney adds: ‘Nobody should be fooled. These meters are not installed to help the customer. Any associated costs will only be added to our bills.’
Thames Water is among the early adopters of this new technology and has rolled out more than 450,000 of the new gadgets. It started making traditional meters obligatory for customers seven years ago and at the same time began trialling smart meters.
Eventually it hopes all 15 million of its customers will have their water consumption measured using smart meters. Southern Water is also keen on them. About £200 of the average £415 annual water bill relates to the supply of fresh water. The rest goes on taking ‘ grey’ water away and cleaning waste.
Large families can lose out from having a water meter installed – whether smart or not, particularly if they live in a smaller home. This is because non-metered traditional water bills are based on the rateable value of a property as calculated at least 30 years ago.
Yet, if there are more bedrooms in a home than people, then a meter might work out cheaper – just as long as you are careful with water consumption. Public sector body Consumer Council for Water has a ‘water meter calculator’ on its website to help you calculate if you could save money using a meter.
The average person uses 140 litres of water a day. The charge for providing 1,000 litres of water works out at about £2 while treating a similar amount of ‘grey’ waste flushed down the toilet or sink is £3. A shower might use 30 litres of water in four minutes while taking a bath requires 100 litres.
A washing machine uses up to 150 litres – so never half fill it. Older toilets flush 13 litres down the pan but a modern dual-flush loo can use half this amount.
On Friday, Thames Water said: ‘We all have a role to play in reducing demand for water. We are rolling out smart meters across our supply area to put customers in control to help save water and money. Metering is the fairest way to pay.’
A spokesperson for regulator Ofwat says: ‘Smart meters are one tool companies can use to help manage and reduce water consumption. We do not regulate the meters.’
‘They are not installed to help the customer’