New water meter has a leak

[Hugo]

I have recently asked southern water for a water meter.
After coming home from my birthday treat today (slurp good wine and beer smoked Salmon and other nice things) I noticed the new meter had been fitted.
On inspection, water was covering the meter and the black screw thingy was turning, meaning water was being used.
Trouble is everything was turned off so there must be a leak, so I emptied the hole of water, and later it was full again.
As the leak looks like it is in the hole that was dug by the contractor, I'm thinking it is on the connection to the meter, as there was no water at the roadside stop cock prior to the new meter being fitted.
My question is, who should pay for the leak to be fitted.
In the paperwork southern water say that the water meter is owned by them, and in one bit it Say's that I'm liable for both connections the the water meter.
I'll be ringing them up tomorrow.
Also going on fleebay looking for IBCs or water butts to keep costs down.

[Iain]

Hi
If they have caused the leak in fitting the meter they would be liable surely. The only thing they might say is that it was a previous leak and you are liable. SWW will pay towards for a leak to be fixed if it is found on your pipe when the meter is fitted. The mother in laws house supply pipe had a leak when they fitted the meter.They paid me to get it fixed ,can't remember how much. Because I replaced lead pipe they then had to replace their side of the pipe that was lead as well. So the road then had to come up. When thy fit a meter they should check for any leaks /usage before leaving. Have a look on the water company website.
Iain

[Hugo]

Phoned them up today and someone will calling to have a look.  I think they will be OK. 

[Ivan]

I know someone who was charged several thousand pounds for a water leak resultant from poor installation of a water meter. They did, after a lot of argument, drop the cost.

Several years ago, we had our supply pipe replaced, as I could hear the water leaking (under the drive). I discovered how to do this late at night about 15years ago - found some men on my driveway around 1am holding a long rod - they basically go round late at night (when everyone is in bed, and so probably no water being used) hold a rod against the stop tap and listen for the sound of water....at least that's what they said).

Welsh Water were very reluctant to fix the leak, despite advertising free leak-fixing service. They agreed to do a single patch on the supply pipe, but on digging it up they discovered that it was so rusty that the clay was holding it together - by removing the clay, pin-hole leaks were popping out of the pipe before our eyes. Reluctantly, they fixed the leak - hate to think how many thousands of gallons were leaking there before I noticed it.

[Justme]

They use the same rod (with a wooden top) to probe the soil & listen to locate the leak.

Car mechanic used to use a similar method to track down enginge noise before computers made them all IT staff & not grease monkeys.

[iann41]

A tip for anyone going onto a meter is to buy a couple of IBCs and fill with water before its fitted. Thats if you have space.Llet rain refill them from there on.

[Hugo]

Well a contractor came round and said that the leak is on my side of the water meter, yes I told him but there was no leak before your guys fitted the meter.  They are due to fix it on Monday, with luck no cost.
Still can't find IBC's local to me in Hove, they are all well north of me. or in Kent.

[Hugo]

All fixed and ready to go.
Now time to conserve as much as I can.
Was paying £606 a year, hope to get it down to half of that.