WATER bosses could be forced to take "smart card" payment devices out of hundreds of East Lancashire homes if a High Court challenge is successful.

Six local authorities, including Lancashire County Council, will argue that the pre-payment meters are jeopardising the health and safety of thousands of families.

The councils will ask a High Court judge in London next week to outlaw the devices, which are said to allow companies to cut off families without going through the courts.

If the challenge is successful, water companies could be forced to pick up the hefty bill to take out pre-payment meters already installed in thousands of homes.

The legal action will be defended by North West Water, Severn Trent Water and watchdog OFWAT, which has approved the devices. The councils are expected to argue that the devices are illegal because they bypass the terms of the Water Industry Act 1991 which give social services departments power to delay disconnections through the courts.

The meters allow householders to pay their water rates in advance by using a smart card, or 'key', which has to be in credit for the device to operate. Before their credit runs out, cards have to be 'recharged' by purchasing units, usually available from post offices.

If the credit runs out, the water supply is automatically cut off. Public health experts in East Lancashire have expressed concern about the safety and sanitation risks posed by the meters.

The councils say that the automatic disconnection of water supplies threatens to increase the spread of infectious diseases, including dysentery and hepatitis.

The councils' legal challenge is supported by 14 other local authorities around the country who will be helping financially with legal costs bills.

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