Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether householders not on social tariffs can require that the smart element of their smart water meter is deinstalled if they decline to participate in a (a) progressive water metering and (b) seasonal water metering tariffs.

Currently, individual water companies decide the best way to manage water demand issues, including their approach to metering. However, to inform their decisions, Defra issues guiding principles that set out our priorities, including our expectations on water companies to increase metering where appropriate. Customers should reach out to their individual water companies with any queries they have about their meter.

Customers may also wish to contact the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) for additional support and advice. CCW is an independent organisation that represents customer interests and is a free service to all water customers.