Water smart meters
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All water wholesalers are undertaking projects to update existing water meters with smart ones at non-household premises across England. Most meters will be updated between now and 2030, although some will be later than this.
Your water wholesaler is the company that supplies clean water and takes away wastewater, such as United Utilities and Severn Trent Water.
Smart meter benefits
Supply and reliance
Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. Our growing population and increasing demand, coupled with changing weather patterns, will make ensuring there is enough for everyone in the future a challenge.
Smart meters aim to give the industry 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.
Leak detection
It’s envisaged that smart meters will help wholesalers to more readily spot water leaks on their network, potentially reducing this common cause of wasted water.
Better billing
In time, when smart meters are successfully transmitting reads and we can fully access them from the wholesaler to incorporate into our system, we can use them for better billing.
We’ll be able to bill you more accurately for the water you’ve used and less on estimates.
Frequently asked 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.
If you’re in the United Utilities wholesale area, you can request a smart meter on their website.
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 (England) and the Water Services Etc Scotland Act 2005 (Scotland), 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 typically transmit a reading to the water wholesaler hourly. We would then collect readings once a day. Unlike gas and electricity smart meters, smart water meter readings are not yet readily available to customers.
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.
How often do smart water meters transmit data
Smart water meters will function differently from those you are probably used to with gas and electricity. They will only automatically transmit a reading once a day at most and the readings are not readily available to the user.
Where can I find more information on Smart meters
Your water wholesaler is a good place to get more information. They own the water meter, so provide more advice and information on installation programmes.