Leaks mean money

I would like to raise a question in relation to water metering.

If the consumer is liable for maintenance costs after the meter system is introduced, who then is liable for the water system? Who can guarantee the leak which may create a large bill in the future is not there now? And, as pipes have not been checked since they were laid, we don’t know whether the large bill to be received is due to usage or leakage. Finding out will be one tough job given current examples of the State’s attempts to generate income.

The UK system is that the utility company assumes liability where the leak is external to the property and therefore guarantees the system. It sounds to me like the Victorian, Irish plumbing system will be upgraded, but that the bill will be sent to Joe Public as usual.