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# Councillor questions move to force local residents to have water meters installed
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillor-questions-move-to-force-local-residents-to-have-water-meters-installed/
- Published: 2026-01-07T08:09:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-07T08:06:02.000Z
- Description: A councillor has questioned the decision to force local residents to have a water meter installed.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Burntwood, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:45, News

A COUNCILLOR has questioned the decision to force local residents to have a water meter installed.

A number of homes have been contacted by South Staffs Water about the installation “in the next few weeks”.

But Cllr Steve Norman, Labour representative for Chase Terrace ward at Lichfield District Council, said local people were concerned at the enforced nature of the move.

He said:

> “The decision seems to go back to 2021 when South Staffs Water, and most of England, was designated a water stressed area by the Environment Agency.  
>  
> “In fact, South Staffs Water was not classed as a stressed water area until July 2021 following a national consultation exercise that elicited the grand total of 54 responses.  
>  
> “However, no water company is required to introduce universal metering, even if it is in an area of severe water stress or any of the other prescribed conditions that apply.”

Cllr Norman says he has written to South Staffs Water calling for information on the decision to make water meters mandatory.

[The company’s website](https://www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/meters-in-your-area/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) outlines the reasons for the installation programme across the local area:

> “Your area is facing serious water shortages. This is due to climate change, a growing population, more new homes being built and people using more water.  
>  
> “If we don’t act now, there may not be enough water for everyone in the future.  
>  
> “Water meters help us protect water supplies and spot wasteful leaks. They help you use water wisely and give you the power to only pay for what you use.  
>  
> “Water meters are compulsory in your area. This is part of a national effort to make sure everyone has enough water now and in the future. Think of it like your energy bill, you’ll only pay for what you use.”

But Cllr Norman said the link to energy meters was not a like-for-like comparison:

> “While they make the case for smart meters, the difference between a water company supplier and a fuel supplier is that residents cannot choose another water supplier that might be more efficient and so cheaper.”