Smart meters

This part of our region currently has the greatest impact on the water environment and some of our most precious habitats – chalk streams.

Chalk streams and rivers are extremely rare. Conservationists and river experts consider them to be as unique as the Amazonian rainforest or Great Barrier Reef.

In fact, there are only around 200 chalk streams in the world, and half of them are in our region. The clear, nutrient-rich waters of these streams support a diverse range of species including water voles, kingfishers and otters.

No, you don’t need to do anything now – we’ll be in touch before we start work in your area and are ready to install your smart meter.

If, like most of our customers, you are already on a meter, we will upgrade your meter to a smart one when we reach your area.

If you are currently an unmetered customer, we can install a smart meter and you can choose to switch to metered charges if you would like to.

In some cases, we may need to contact you to arrange an appointment to fit your smart meter. And if you are a Priority Services customer and we know that you need water for specific reasons we’ll contact you to arrange a suitable time.

Smart water meters don’t come with an in-home display, like some energy smart meters have. Instead, you will be able to access your smart data online from your mobile device or computer.

Yes. Public Health England has confirmed that smart meters do not pose a risk to health. A smart meter is inactive for most of the day, but when active it emits no more radio waves than a two-minute mobile phone call once per day.

For more information, read GOV.UK's guidance on smart meters and health.