Don't Rush to Change Meters: Consumer Rights Protection Center Refutes Service Providers' Claims 0 12

The institution stated that starting from June 2025, periodic verification of water meters in apartments every four years will no longer be mandatory. This means that if the meter is functioning properly, it can be used even after the previous verification period has expired.

The Consumer Rights Protection Center (CRPC) has recorded instances where service providers replacing meters spread misleading information, claiming that verification is mandatory or that all meters must be replaced with remotely readable ones by January 1, 2027. The CRPC emphasizes that such information is inaccurate.

The institution notes that before January 1, 2027, residents must decide on the future water accounting system—whether to switch to a unified system or keep the existing one. If there are reasonable suspicions about the meter's accuracy or visible damage, the building manager or the homeowners' association has the right to request verification or replacement of the meter. This is stipulated by the Cabinet of Ministers' regulations, the CRPC emphasizes.

For water meters installed at the building's entrance, the requirement for verification remains unchanged.

The decision to switch to a unified system with remote data reading or to keep the current system should be based on a technical and economic justification prepared by the manager. The CRPC emphasizes that such justification must be objective and clear, indicating the exact costs of implementation and maintenance—whether they are proportional to the expected savings. There should also be information about the anticipated benefits, such as more accurate accounting, reduced water losses, and potential technical risks—whether the meters will function if the service provider changes in the future.

If remote reading is not suitable, residents can continue using the existing meters or install new mechanical meters with greater accuracy and tamper protection.

The CRPC notes that a unified water accounting system with the installation of identical modern meters throughout the building can bring several advantages, such as more accurate readings and quicker detection of leaks or technical issues, especially with remote reading. Simultaneous data recording across the entire building reduces time discrepancies and human error. It also provides better protection against tampering, the ability to promptly notice suspicious readings, track data, detect leaks, and consequently reduce water losses and energy costs for its preparation.

It was previously reported that on June 3, 2025, the government approved the cancellation of the requirement for verification of water meters.

The Ministry of Economics had previously indicated that the process of re-verifying water meters in apartments is impractical—the cancellation of this requirement will reduce the administrative burden and costs for residents.

LETA also reported that a case has been initiated in the Constitutional Court regarding the cessation of state metrological verification of water meters installed in apartments. This was communicated to the LETA agency by the court.

The court will assess whether the regulations approved by the government on June 3 regarding the list of measuring instruments subject to state metrological verification comply with the Constitution.