If you have a water meter fitted your charges are based on the amount of water you use, instead of a fixed amount each year based on the rateable value (RV) of your property.

As a general rule if there are more bedrooms than people, you could be better off on a meter, but you can use a water meter calculator to be sure.

Installation is usually free for household customers.

Find out how to switch to a water meter.

Our meters can usually be fitted free of charge at household properties.

We may not be able to fit a meter free of charge where:

• You have a shared water pipe with one or more properties. If this is the case, you can apply to have a separate supply
• You live in a flat with separate hot and cold water supplies
• Substantial alterations to the existing plumbing and/or joinery would be needed before it could be installed
• You would like the meter installed in a different location to our recommendation.

Find out how to switch to a water meter.

If you are switching to a meter we’ll need to book an appointment to check if it can be fitted.

If you can't keep an appointment with us, please let us know as soon as possible on 0345 45 67 063 (option 2) to avoid a charge of £50 + VAT to cover the cost of the survey.

03 calls are charged at the same rate as landline numbers that start 01 or 02. Phone tariffs with inclusive calls to landlines include 0345 numbers.

If the meter survey shows that a meter can’t be fitted at a reasonable cost, we will offer you the alternative of paying an assessed charge for your water and sewerage services.

Assessed charges are based on your property type and not its rateable value (RV).

If your rateable value (RV) is lower than the assessed charge, then we would continue to charge on the basis of RV.

We can’t offer you assessed charges if:

• A meter can be fitted at reasonable cost
• You refuse to pay any additional costs for the installation of a meter in an alternative location
• You refuse to carry out any work needed for the meter to be installed.

Find out how to switch to a water meter.

Water meters are being installed as part of a nationwide initiative to improve the efficiency and sustainability of water use.

Whether you've opted into for a meter, or have had one fitted as part of our metering programme, once your meter has been installed, you will be moved onto metered charges, and you will not be able to revert to rateable value.

Water meters will help to ensure fairness so that customers only pay for what they use, and will help encourage water conservation to support our rivers, reservoirs and the wider environment.

We are aiming to achieve 76% metering coverage by 2030, before completing our metering programme for the whole region by 2035. 

Our meters can usually be fitted free of charge at household properties. If your property has more than one point of entry for water, we may need to fit two.

If you’re happy with this there is a cost of £117 + VAT for the second meter.

We can only fit a maximum of two meters so if more are required then we’re sorry but we’ll be unable to fit a meter.

You can easily find out if your home has a water meter by looking at your bill.

If your customer reference number starts with MC then you have a water meter.

If your customer reference starts with a UC then you do not have a meter.

As a rule if you live in a property that was built after 1990 it's likely there will be a meter.

Find out how to switch to a water meter.

Household customers
It is compulsory to have a water meter fitted in cases where a substantial amount of water would be used, over and above that of a normal household.

These cases are:

• If you use a garden sprinkler or unattended watering devices
• If you have a bath with a capacity greater than 230 litres
• Certain types of showers
• If you have a swimming pool or garden pond with a capacity greater than 10,000 litr

If any of these apply to you, please contact us.

All newly built properties are automatically metered.

There is no charge for the cost of installation where meters are fitted compulsorily, but you will not be able to revert to unmetered charges once it's installed.

Non-household customers
As part of our commitment to promote fairer billing and respect the environment, and in line with Government guidelines, we have a policy of metering all non-household properties.

If you still pay based on the rateable value of your property you will be contacted to arrange for a meter to be installed.

There are a number of benefits to switching to a meter:

• You only pay for the water you use
• Taking regular meter readings will help you better understand how and when you are using water
• They can also help identify leaks on your pipework
• You’ll be able to reduce your bill further by installing water efficient appliances
• Using less water is helpful to the environment.

Taking regular meter readings can help you keep track of how much water you are using.

Sending us regular readings will also mean you receive accurate bills, rather than ones which have been estimated.

We will come and take a meter reading at least once every financial year. The remainder of your bills are likely to be estimated based on your previous consumption.

You can tell us your meter reading online. You'll need to register or log in to My Account.

Find out more about reading your meter.

If you are having difficulty please contact us and we’ll arrange to take a meter reading.

We may be able to read the meter without you being present, however, if this is not the case, we will contact you to arrange an appointment

Find out more about reading your meter.

If you would like to move your water meter to a different location, for example if you are having building work, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Once a meter has been installed we will be responsible for maintaining or replacing the meter unless you damage or misuse it. In this case, you may have to pay for any repair.

If your meter is leaking or there is a problem, please contact us.

If the water meter is faulty or leaking, please contact us.

We are happy to install a meter if one person takes responsibility for the payment of the bills.

Find out how to switch to a water meter.

You can ask us to fit a meter if your name is on the water bill. Please make sure you tell your tenants if you want to have a meter fitted at your property.

Find out how to switch to a water meter.

If you are a tenant or leaseholder of the property, we advise that you obtain permission to install a meter from your landlord or freeholder prior to the pre-installation survey.

Find out how to switch to meter.

For non-household customers, except in the case where a meter installation is compulsory, there is a charge for installation of a meter.

We will provide an estimate of the installation cost will be after a survey has been carried out.

Find out how to switch to meter.

Our preferred location is outside at the boundary of your property, where our outside stop tap is located.

Sometimes it's not possible to install a meter outside. This is usually because the supply pipe is shared with other properties. In these circumstances we will carry out a survey to fit the meter inside, where the water supply first enters the property.

Find out how to switch to meter.

Standard tariff customers
If you’re a metered non-household customer on the standard tariff, we’ll read your water meter at least once every financial year.

We’ll send you a bill either every six months or every month. At least one bill each financial year will be based on an actual meter reading. The remainder of your bills are likely to be estimated
based on your previous consumption.

Medium or large-user tariff customers
If you’re a metered non-household customer on the medium-user tariff or the large-user reservation tariff, we will read your meter every month and send you a bill monthly which must be settled by Direct Debit.

Find out how to switch to meter.