Water smart meters
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Between 2025 and 2030, all water wholesalers are undertaking projects to update existing water meters with smart ones at non-household premises across England.
Smart meter benefits
In time, smart meters will bring advantages to you through more accurate billing and a better understanding of how much water you use. They will also help with the broader industry strategy to understand how water is used, improve water efficiency and reduce leakage.
Better billing
When we can fully access the reading data from the wholesaler, we’ll use it to bill you more accurately on the water you’ve used, and less on estimates.
We understand how important accurate billing is to you, so once the wholesaler can provide us with the meter reading data, we’ll work to incorporate it into our systems.
Understanding your usage
Leak detection
Getting regular meter readings helps us all to identify leaks much quicker. It will show up changes and unexpected water use, which is often the first sign of an issue.
Service improvements
More regular meter readings from more businesses will give us a wealth of data to better understand water usage. This can help inform decision-making on pricing and service improvements, putting your business water in better shape.
Supply and reliance
Water is a scarce resource. Our growing population and increasing demand, coupled with changes in rainfall amounts and patterns, will make ensuring there is enough for everyone in the future a challenge. Smart meters will give us a better insight into how much water we’re all using and where water is being wasted. This will help us take steps to ensure we have a robust supply in the future.
Frequent ask questions
When will I get my smart meter?
Wholesalers are responsible for the rollout of smart meters. The rollout plans vary by wholesaler, so it’s difficult to give a definitive answer here. Most wholesalers have information on their websites with broad rollout plans.
At least 3 months before you’re due to get your smart meter, we should be in touch to let you know. However, as wholesalers are managing installations, we will rely on them for information about when they will install yours.
Nearer the time, your water wholesaler will contact you with more details, so you can check that the proposed changeover is convenient.
Is there a cost to me?
No, the water wholesaler owns the meter, and the upgrade to a smart one is free to you.
Will there be any disruption?
When the engineer exchanges your meter, they’ll have to switch off your water for a short time. The wholesaler will work with you to minimise any disruption this may cause. Where possible, the wholesaler will fit the smart meter at a time and date convenient to you, when they are in your area.
If your meter is inside your property, someone will need to be there on the day of the exchange to give the engineer the access they need.
What if I don’t want a smart meter?
We are committed to supporting the introduction of smart meters. They will help improve the service we can provide and will help us all ensure we have a sustainable water supply in the future. While having a smart meter installed is not optional, we hope you understand and support the benefits, too. Under the Water Industry Act, the water wholesaler has the right to insist that they fit a smart meter.
How often do smart water meters transmit readings?
Smart water meters will function slightly differently from those you are probably used to with gas and electricity in that they will only automatically transmit a reading once a day.
Will I see smart meter readings on my bill immediately after installation?
As the installations are taking place over 5 years, it may take a little while for the automatic reads to feed through to your bill and be available to monitor usage. This is especially true for those of you getting one early in the changeover period.