Thames Water forces users on to smart meters despite bill fears

BRITAIN’S biggest water provider is installing controversial smart meters without customers’ permission, despite them potentially increasing bills.

Thames Water is fitting around 8,000 smart water meters each month in London and the South East and hopes to install two million by 2030.

In some cases, residents have asked for the devices to be fitted.

But The Sunday Telegraph can disclose Thames Water is able to install some of them without telling households, because of a rule that defines some of London, Guildford and Swindon as “water stressed”.

So Thames Water customers have no way of remaining on a lower unmetered rate, unlike households supplied by other companies.

MPs have criticised Thames Water for not asking households for their permission before adding the devices to a property, as well as for failing to address its issues with leaky pipes and sewage dumping.

Thames has installed 700,000 smart water meters since it began their introduction on a compulsory basis, the company said.

Munira Wilson, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, said: “Fitting any kind of meter that runs the risk of raising bills during a cost of living crisis without express consent was always going to be deeply controversial. It is no secret that public trust in Thames Water is at an alltime low.

“This is yet another communication failure from a company already damaged by its appalling record on dumping raw sewage into rivers and streams.”

Last year, it was revealed that Thames made more than £2million a day in profit over the summer despite it having imposed a hosepipe ban on around 15 million people.

Providers are pushing for greater uptake of smart water meters, as they claim it helps companies tackle leaks.

But while most offer customers the option of reverting to an unmetered rate if a water meter does not save them money, Thames automatically moves customers on to a metered rate after a year even if it is more expensive.

Sarah Olney, Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, said: “Forcing customers on to smart meters and making them take responsibility for it when providers aren’t doing their bit is mind-boggling.”

Water meters can be put in place without providers needing to enter a home, as they can be installed underneath the pavement outside a house.

A Thames Water spokesman said: “Smart meters incentivise customers to use water wisely, as they will only be charged for the water they use. They also help us to tackle customer-side leaks, protecting water supplies in the process.

“Whilst we don’t need permission to fit smart meters, they are the fairest option for customers, as people only pay for the water they use. On average, metered customers tend to use 12 per cent less water.

“Under legislation, consumers cannot refuse a smart meter, however, we always assess the suitability of a meter for each property.”

‘This is yet another failure in communication from a company damaged by its appalling record’