Thames Water accused of door-stepping customers to install smart meters

A water company covering a large area of southern England has come under fire after claims it is doorstepping people to install smart meters. 

Thames Water has more than 15 million customers across London, Surrey, and other areas of the Thames Valley.

The firm is allowed to install smart meters without notifying customers as part of a Government rollout.

The rollout aims to reduce household water usage across the UK, with the Government saying the meters play a “crucial role”.

However, concerns have been raised over the lack of input from customers, particularly due to fears of increased bills.

One customer from Surrey urged the Government to strip the utility company of the power to install the smart meters without consultation.

The person, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Telepraph: “The first thing we heard about this was when someone turned up on our doorstep unannounced telling us he wanted to install a meter.”

A Thames Water spokesman told the Telegraph it would always “write to customers to advise them” about the rollout.

The spokesperson added: “We’re eight years into our smart metering journey, with the technology playing a critical role in addressing leaks, reducing water consumption, and making our water network more resilient in the face of a growing population and climate change.”

The concerns come as senior Tories urge the Government to scrap the rollout of smart meters – fearing they’re a backdoor to higher charges.

Craig Mackinlay, chairman of the Tories’ backbench Net Zero Scrutiny Group, said: “Smart meters are clearly a back-door way of suppliers managing demand at peak times, charging more when they want and cutting off households at the drop of a hat.”

Responding to the MailOnline, a Government spokesperson said: “Smart meters play a crucial role in putting households and small businesses in control of energy use, saving money on bills and offsetting price increases.”