§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of purchasing and installing water meters in water authorities in England.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI regret that the information required is not held centrally. Costs of installing meters vary considerably depending upon the water supply arrangements. Where a property is served by a common supply pipe it may be necessary to provide a separate supply pipe and to excavate and restore roads and pavements.
431WThe National Water Council in its report, "Charging Households for Water", a copy of which is in the Library, estimated in 1980 that the cost of purchasing rotary piston water meters ranged from £9.87 to £91 excluding VAT and the cost of installing meters internally ranged from £20 to £60; higher figures are probable for external installation.