§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total cost so far for the water meter trials approved by his Department; and if he will give the cost of each trial area.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryIt is estimated that the total cost of the metering trials will be about £20 million. The latest estimated cost of each trial is as follows:
£ Isle of Wight (Southern Water) 16,134,000 Chandlers Ford (Southern Water) 125,000 Chorleywood (Rickmansworth Water Company) 220,000 Bristol-Hotwells (Bristol Waterworks Company) 332,000 Haling Park (Thames Water) 756,000 Bromsgrove (East Worcestershire Waterworks Company) 383,000 Brookmans Park (Lee Valley Water Company) 695,000 Turlin Moor (Wessex Water) 197,000 Broadstone (Wessex Water) 300,000 Camberley (Mid Southern Water Company) 346,000 Hutton Rudby (Northumbrian Water) 251,000 South Normanton (Yorkshire Water) 480,000
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the 12 meter trials for domestic water charges have had the meters installed and are now being charged for water and sewage treatment by meter; and if he will list those which are completed.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe installation of meters is complete and the customers are being charged by measure in 10 of the 12 trials. The installation of 52,000 meters in the Isle of Wight trial is not expected to be completed until the late summer but Southern Water has phased the introduction of metered billing in different areas of the island as meters are installed. Charging by measure in the South Normanton trial is due to start on 1 April 1991. The trials are due to end in 1993.