Water and Sewerage (Hansard, 31 October 1994)

§ Mrs. Helen Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those water and sewerage companies that have decided not to embark on a policy of installing meters in domestic properties on a compulsory basis;
(2) if he will list those water companies that have a policy of installing meters in domestic households against the wish of the resident.

§ Mr. Atkins
Only one water and sewerage company, Anglian Water, has so far announced a widespread programme of metering existing domestic properties. The company announced recently a review of the compulsory element of its metering programme. Several water supply companies have decided to install meters in existing domestic properties in certain parts of their area. Most companies have a policy of installing meters in new and substantially converted domestic properties.

§ Mrs. Helen Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has held with the Water Services Association about charging systems for water and sewerage in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what discussions he has held with water companies or the Water Services Association about the method of charges for water and sewerage in new and refurbished properties.

§ Mr. Atkins
My right hon. Friend and I have discussions with water companies and the water industry associations from time to time about matters of mutual interest. The Water Services Association and the Water Companies Association have recently submitted their views on future methods of charging for water and 975W sewerage services and that is currently being considered. Most water companies require new and substantially converted properties to be metered and charges are recovered on that basis.

§ Mrs. Helen Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the water industry about the connection charge imposed on new properties.

§ Mr. Atkins
None. This is a matter for the director general of water services.

§ Mrs. Helen Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers rest with the director general of water services to determine a fixed connection charge for new properties.

§ Mr. Atkins
The Water Industry Act 1991 recognises three separate elements to charging for a new connection to the mains or sewer. A connection charge is payable to cover the direct cost of connecting a new property to the water company's main or sewer. If there is a dispute between the customer and the company about the amount of the charge, the director general of water services has powers to determine the charge. Where it is necessary to requisition the provision of a public water main or sewer, a requisitioning charge is payable. Payment of this charge may be spread over a 12-year period at a rate of interest approved by the director general. When new properties are connected for the first time to a public water main or sewer for domestic purposes, an infrastructure charge is payable. The director general has powers to set limits on each company's infrastructure charges. In his recent periodic review of price limits, the director general set new infrastructure charge limits of £200 each for water and for sewerage. These limits, will apply to all water and sewerage companies from 1 April 1995.