We've had a period of ridiculously low mains water pressure, so low that in 24 hours it wouldn't even half fill our 850 litre tank. So after a dozen phone calls to the water company and three weeks of not showering or washing anything (I exaggerate slightly to make a point), we gave up on the water company and got a plumber in to have a look. He added a small water pump just our side of the water meter and hooked it up to the water tank's cut-off switch. Basically, if the tank's less than about 80% full now, the pump switches on and draws water from the main, through our meter and into the tank. It switches off automatically when the tank's full again.
We were pleased as punch with the job he did, paid him a nice little tip and made a note of his phone number in case we need any other plumbing done. Just as he was leaving, he said we shouldn't tell anyone about the new pump and to hide it when the man comes to read the meter, because it was illegal.
What the fuck, is this right? If the water company can't or won't supply mains water at a high enough pressure to fill an ordinary household tank, why is it a problem to install a pump to achieve the same effect?
Anybody know?
This is the kind of thing I'm talking about:
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50350342/Water_Pump.jpg