§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has of the progress made by water authorities in providing meters to private householders since the answer of 23 March, Official Report, c. 862; and if he will give an estimate of the capital cost to the consumer of the installation of a meter.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAll water authorities give their domestic consumers the option of a metered supply; and so do all water companies, except one which plans to introduce the option later this year. Information on provision of water meters is collected annually and at the last estimate — April 1982 — some 71,000 domestic consumers had a metered supply.
Capital cost to consumers will vary according to the details of each undertaker's domestic metering scheme; but the main factor is whether the meter can be installed inside the property or not. As a broad guide, it will cost between £30 to £60 for an internal installation—but may be less if the consumer undertakes the work himself—and between £80 to £150 for an external installation.