FREE Installation in England & Wales

Water Meter Installation UK

Water Meter Installation Cost: £0 (FREE)

Under Ofwat regulations, all water companies in England and Wales must install a water meter free of charge when requested. Water meter installation is your legal right and most households save £100-200/year after switching.

The Water Meter Installation Process

The water meter installation process is straightforward and managed entirely by your water company. Here's what to expect when you request a free water meter installation.

Request a Meter

Contact your water company by phone or online to request water meter installation

Survey Visit

An engineer visits within 2-4 weeks to assess your property for meter installation

Installation Day

Water meter installation takes 1-2 hours with minimal disruption to your supply

First Reading

The engineer takes your first meter reading after water meter installation

Billing Switches

Your billing switches to metered charges — you only pay for what you use

What Happens During Water Meter Installation

During water meter installation, a qualified engineer from your water company will visit your property. The water meter installation process involves fitting a small meter device to your external water supply pipe, usually near your property boundary where the external stop tap is located.

During the Installation, the Engineer Will:

1.Locate your external stop tap (usually under a small cover on the pavement or in your front garden)
2.Briefly turn off your water supply (typically 30-60 minutes)
3.Cut into the supply pipe and fit the water meter
4.Restore your water supply and check for any leaks
5.Record the initial meter reading and show you where the meter is located

You do not need to be at home for most water meter installations since the work is done outside. However, the engineer may need to check your internal stop tap works correctly.

When a Water Meter Can't Be Fitted

In some cases, water meter installation is not physically possible. This typically applies to flats with shared supply pipes or older properties where the pipework layout makes individual metering impractical.

Assessed Charges: The Alternative

When water meter installation is not possible, your water company must offer an assessed charge. This is a fixed bill based on the typical water usage for a property like yours, taking into account the number of occupants and property type.

Properties That May Not Be Suitable:

- Flats with shared water supply pipes
- Properties with communal risers
- Buildings where the stop tap cannot be accessed
- Listed buildings with protected pipework

Assessed Charges Are Often Cheaper:

- Based on average usage for your household size
- Usually cheaper than standard unmetered rates
- Applied automatically if meter cannot be fitted
- Contact your water company to request assessment

The Water Meter Installation Trial Period

Worried that water meter installation might increase your bill? Most water companies offer a generous trial period so you can compare metered vs unmetered costs risk-free.

12-24 Month Risk-Free Trial

After water meter installation, you have 12-24 months (depending on your water company) to decide if metered billing works for you. During this trial period, if you find that your water meter is costing you more than unmetered billing, you can request to switch back at no cost.

12-24

months trial period

£0

cost to switch back

No Risk

try before you commit

After the trial period ends, the switch to metered billing becomes permanent. The meter stays fitted but you can still submit regular readings to ensure accurate billing. Ofwat requires all companies to offer this trial.

Which Water Company to Contact for Installation

To request free water meter installation, contact your water company directly. Every water company in England and Wales must provide water meter installation at no charge. Click your provider below for their meter request page.