United Utilities hits major milestone as 200,000 smart meters installed

United Utilities has reached a significant milestone in its smart metering programme after installing more than 200,000 in the last twelve months.

Over the next four years, the North West’s water company will install and upgrade over one million smart meters. The initial roll out of smart meters has taken place across towns and cities in Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

The meters are being installed to provide the company 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. 

Smart meters can also help customers to understand their consumption, reduce demand and most importantly, save money on their bills.

Scott Green, Head of Metering and Field Services said: “Reaching 200,000 installations ahead of schedule is a brilliant achievement and a real reflection of the team effort that’s gone in to deliver it. Smart metering is a key part of our plans over the next four years.  We believe it will help customers to save money on our bills whilst also creating a more resilient water network.” 

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.

As the roll out continues, customers will be contacted in advance of any work taking place. Contract partners at Arqiva and Network Plus are supporting the installation efforts.

Mike Smith, Executive Director, Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva, said: “Reaching such a milestone at this early stage of the rollout underlines the speed and ambition of United Utilities’ programme. Delivering smart metering at pace is critical to turning investment plans into real‑world outcomes, and a meter in the ground is just the start. 

"Our role is to help water companies execute confidently at scale, generating reliable data quickly from connected meters so they can reduce leakage, improve efficiency and deliver benefits for customers sooner.”

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 to smart meters in the future.

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

United Utilities continues to make great progress on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in the North West for a century. The company is spending more than £13bn to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, while safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.