United Utilities continues smart meter roll out across Cumbria

United Utilities has installed more than 45,000 smart metres in the Carlisle area over the last five months.

It’s part of the company’s plans to install a million of them across the North West over the next five years. 

The initial focus has been on installing the smart meters around CA1-CA10.  Over the next few months this will spread to different areas around the Eden valley. 

The North West’s water company is proactively installing the meters to provide it with a greater understanding of the amount of water being used across the region.  It will also help it to identify leaks on its own network and on customers’ own pipes. 

If a meter is fitted outside a customer’s home, United Utilities will be able to compare their water use against the existing rateable value bill - and if the bills is cheaper with a meter, the customer will be charged the lower amount.

Scott Green, Head of Developer Services and Metering, said: “We have an ambitious plan to roll out smart meters right across the region.  The data they provide will help drive down leakage both on our network and at customers’ properties as well as helping customers to save money by using less water.”

As the roll out continues, customers will be contacted in advance of any work taking place.   

The proactive metering programme mainly takes place on footpaths near property boundaries with minimal disruption to customers.  A boundary box, a new stop tap, and smart water meter are installed as part of the process.   

For household and non-household customers who already have a meter, United Utilities will be upgrading these over the course of the next year.

For more information or if customers wish to proactively apply for a meter, they can do so at www.unitedutilities.com