Thames Water Imposes Water Meters

Thames Water, the UK's largest water company, is imposing water meters on approximately 50,000 customers who have made major alterations to their houses. The water company is contacting those who have extended their property by 15% or more since 1990, saying they must have a meter installed.

Analysts say that the meters are likely to increase bills. Regulator Ofwat's figures, however, show that in 1998-9, metered households' water and sewerage bills were on average GBP223, compared with GBP245 for unmetered households.

Thames already imposes meters on people with garden sprinklers and swimming pools, and on all new houses. Around 10% of its three million customers have water meters, which is against a national average of 14%.