HEALTH chiefs in Preston are worried pre-payment water devices proposed by North West Water could put low income families at risk.

Consultant in Public Health for North West Lancashire Dr Sohail Ashraff claims the meters by-pass agreed safeguards to prevent homes being cut off and they could leave people without supplies long-term.

His concern comes in a week when both the borough and the county councils have joined the national campaign against the proposed meters.

The pre-payment scheme, referred to as the Watercard Budget or Smart Card by the utilities company, has been on trial for two years and is approved and supported by the company's regulatory body, Ofwat.

But fears are that if someone can't afford to pay, they would be left without water indefinitely and neither the social services nor the environmental health would be aware.

Council leader David Borrow said: "Our advice is that they are illegal in that North West Water have a duty to supply water but these devices disconnect it."

The water company says the watercard is an option and no one has to have it installed unless they want it.

Spokeswoman for the company Sue Wright said: "It isn't a meter, it is merely an option. We have councillors specifically trained to talk to people about what's appropriate their needs."

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