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A third of households (36 per cent) regret having a water meter installed or moving to a house that has one, according to a poll by Money.co.uk.
The survey of 1,500 people shows that 5 per cent of households would like to change their mind on having a water meter but their supplier would not let them, while 11 per cent do no know how to get rid of their meter.
A total of 14 per cent of respondents said they were £100 worse off on average as a result of having a water meter.
After a water meter has been installed, the consumer has a 12 month window to reverse their decision, and despite the complaints, only 2 per cent of households moved back to rateable bills after having a meter installed.
A total of 44 per cent of those with a meter didn’t choose to have one fitted as they moved into a house with one installed and inherited it.
A further one in ten were part of a compulsory changeover and only 12 per cent moved on their supplier’s recommendation.
Of the respondents who do not have a water meter, 22 per cent said the prospect of having one fitted made them “furious”, and 9 per cent said they would deny their supplier access to install the meter.
Three per cent said they would refuse to pay their water bill after a meter had been fitted.
However, the survey also showed that 42 per cent of households were on average £111 better off per year by being on a water meter.
Money.co.uk editor Hannah Maundrell said: “It seems that supplier support and information for those thinking about getting a meter installed is lacking.”
She added: “Overall, many suppliers aren’t doing enough to give consumers a steer around water meters.”
Head of corporate affairs at Water UK Neil Dhot said: “The poll showed that 42 per cent of people believe they are saving an average of £111 a year which is significant.
“Metering is definitely a way of helping some people reduce their water bills.
“Meter calculators can be helpful, and customers can also use the one provided by CC Water. But we would advise anyone looking for ways to bring the cost of their bills down to speak to their water company directly about the range of help that is available.”
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