Our Universal Metering Programme

What is it? First large scale metering initiative in the UK % of customers metered - 60% pay bill based on rateable value % of homes (487,000) will be metered - 8% pay bill on an unmetered basis

How will it be implemented? Up to 600 ‘intelligent’ meters installed every day AMR Meters – Automated Meter Reading to avoid house calls The majority of meters will be fitted at the boundary of properties Meters will be installed using ‘No dig’ technology where possible The exchange of 100,000 existing domestic meters

Why metering? Area already under serious water stress – we need to reduce demand Large population growth and further climate change Most cost effective solution for customer Least environmental impact Key part of 25-year Water Resources Management Plan Metering approved by DEFRA and backed by customers

When will the work start? June 2010 Target areas under greatest resource pressure and leakage First meters in Medway, North Sussex, South Hampshire Year 1 – up to 300 meters fitted every day Year 2 – up to 600 meters every day Entire region covered by 2015 Roll-out programme on website (

Helping and informing customers Postcode awareness campaign Widespread distribution of information Mobile Information units on site during installation Face to face engagement with customers during installation Dedicated website Customer information packs New bills Changeover period

Supporting vulnerable customers Targeted through careful segmentation Water and energy audits Benefit, advice and support Change over period Social plan Outbound contact

What it means for customers Minimum disruption – majority will not have to be at home during fitting Fairer system - pay for water they use Opportunity to reduce water and energy bills Average bill cut from £399 (non-metered) to £325 (metered) Heavier water users may see a bigger bill But no one will pay more in first year

Our key partners Design Council – the national strategic design body Energy Saving Trust – working to reduce carbon emissions WWF – the world’s leading environmental organisation Waterwise – an NGO focused on decreasing water consumption

What can we do for you? Presentation about the metering programme to key people in the organisation Provide information leaflets, literature, displays Hold regular update meetings with your point of contact Contribution to any publication your organisation produces Alignment with your own efficiency programmes Support to your own community programmes and groups