I want to have a water meter installed. The info pack from the water co. says before doing so I need to make sure there is no earthing to the mains water supply pipe (if that's the correct term!). Is this easy to check? Is it just a case of checking there are no wires attached to any main pipes under the kitchen sink where the supply comes in? I have found a yellow and green wire linked to a pipe in the airing cupboard, not sure if that's significant. Will obviously get an electrician in if necessary, but just wonder if it's a simple check, or more complicated than that!? Thanks.

Maria, February 2008

Metal (copper mainly) pipes in the hot-press/airing cupboard and also under the kitchen sink will be bonded - these are the green/yellow earth wires you saw. These are attached by clamps with aluminium tags stamped "electrical safety connection - do not remove" or similar wording and they mean just that - do not remove!
What kind of meter are you going to install? A mechanical water meter (i.e. turbine type) shouldn't be affected by earthing issues. You can get small (1/2") electromagnetic flowmeters. The larger versions of this type of meter (used on 4", 6" etc water mains) often come with earthing rings and braided earth cable as sometimes good earthing can be needed for this type of meter to work properly. There should be no need for you to remove earthing and if so, you would be better off looking at a different type of meter!

JD, February 2008