24/08/20: it begins water meters substition
Today August the 24th comes into force the Ministerial Order ICT/155/2020, approved on February the 7th. Thank to it: hot and cold water meters with more than 12 years old must be replaced.
We want to give you answering the FAQ's:
1. Where are we today in terms of communicating water consumption data?
Currently in Spain 1.5 million meters are more than 12 years old which are analogical. This implies that the reading must be done in person and give it to the supplier.
2. What is the time horizon for installing the new remote reading meters?
The European Union has set a five years deadline (from 24 August 2020 to 2025). In fact, the ministerial order quoted above is the transposition of EU Directive 2014/32/EU.
3. What are the benefits of renewing meters?
Three:
3.1. Monetary and water savings: 'It can be as much as 45 euros/year, 15% of the bill", as Ignacio Abati, director of Ista España, explains. The remote meters will also report greater control of the water we spend.
3. 2. A better operation: a new meter does not break down. However, if it does, you will still be under warranty when it is installed.
3.3 Agility, accuracy and transparency:
Agility: no more 'wasted time' in going to do the reading and giving it to the company.
Accuracy: the remote meters will not make reading mistakes or estimate consumption.
Transparency: the reading on the bills will be the same transmitted from the remote meters. If it is not the same, the difference will never derive from inaccuracies or reading estimates as it occurs now. In this case, you will certainly be able to communicate with the supplier to understand the reason for the mismatch and, if you are not satisfied with the explanation and cannot agree on anything, you will be able to make a claim through various means of consumer defence.
4. Do we really have to change the meter that is more than 12 years old?
Yes, not doing so - within five years - will represent a fine of up to 5,000 euros according to Law 32/2014 on Metrology. It is necessary to do so whether the meter turns 12 in 2020 or within the next 5 years (2020-2025).
In addition, there is also an economic advantage: from 10 years onwards, analogue counters commit measurement errors. These result in estimates that are too often upwards and therefore make the bills more expensive.
5. Who is responsible for the replacement?
The owner of the flat, premises, office etc. When, in addition to being the owner, you are a consumer, you can choose to delegate the actions, operations and management relating to the requirements on the useful life of the meter to the management company of the meter, for which you must sign a document. If this delegation is not made, the management company will be obliged to communicate it to the competent public administration in water matters in its territorial area, which will establish the guidelines for action. As stated in the ministerial order.
6.How do you check that you are the owner of the supplies for the house or premises and how do you carry out a possible change of owner of a water, gas or electricity supply?
Firstly, a point must to be underlined: if they change your water meter without any problem, you are the owner of the safe supply.
Once you have clarified this, have you discovered that you are not the owner of the supplies? Do you want to register? or Cancel the supplies?
Don't worry, in this link of our blog we answer you the three questions.
The three processes can take a maximum of 15 days (counting from the date of completion of the management). For new contracts and registrations this period of time may require: the signing of the contract that the company sends you to the supply point (or in the place you indicate), the forwarding of the documentation to the supplier and its validation. While the discharge is usually more agile but requires you more firmness and patience.
'Finques Feliu at your side'.