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Getting smart with your water use

Between 2025-2030 we are installing around 1 million smart meters across the North West. This will involve exchanging existing household and business water meters and installing new smart meters. We've explained more about our smart meter programme below.

  • When you apply for a water meter we will install one of our new smart enabled meters for free. As these meters send readings to us on a regular basis, we don't need to enter your home to take a reading. In the future, we'll also be able to share this information with you so you can see how much water you are using and look to make savings on your bill. Please visit our meter page using the link below to see if you could make a saving and apply.

    Apply now

  • If you already have a water meter in your home, we will be in touch to arrange a convenient date to exchange your existing meter for a new smart enabled version. Please bear with us as we will be exchanging our meters over the next five years so it could be some time before we contact you about this. 

  • This will help us to better manage our water supplies and spot leaks much quicker. If we fit a meter outside your home, we will also be able to compare your water use against your existing rateable value bill - and if your bills are cheaper with a meter, we'll charge you the lower amount! We'll send you an information pack before starting any work in your area so you know what to expect. 

    Find out more

  • If you are a business in the North West, we are responsible for your water meter. We will therefore be in touch to arrange a convenient date to exchange your meter. You can find out more about our meter exchange programme and when we are working in your area via the link below.

    Smart meters for businesses

Benefits of smart meters

Customer using iPad

The lowest bill – guaranteed!

When we first install your meter you will also benefit from our lowest bill guarantee. This means that for the first two years, we guarantee that if your charges with a meter are higher than you would have paid on rateable value, then we will charge you the lower amount! This takes away any risk and allows you to see if you would be better off with a meter before deciding whether to stay on meter charges permanently. You can’t lose!

Customer using water

Helping you to make savings on your bill

Installing smart meters across the North West will give us a much better understanding of how much water our customers are using. In the future, once we’ve updated our systems, we’ll also be able to share your water usage data with you, enabling you to see how much water you are using and offering advice on how to make savings and ultimately reduce your bill.

United Utilities water engineers

Tackling leakage

We're working hard to further reduce our leakage. Smart meters will give us a much greater understanding of how our customers are using water and help us to locate leaks much quicker. As smart meters will send readings to us on a regular basis, we will be able to spot if your usage suddenly increases, or you are using a continuous amount of water throughout the day and night which is normally a sign you have a leak. We can then get in touch with you about this so you can find the leak so you’re not paying for water that is going to waste.

Reservoir image

Caring for the environment

Smart meters will support us in managing our resources, reducing leakage and water use and protecting water resources for the future.


Our smart meter privacy policy

Find out more about how we collect and use data from smart meters here.

Important Notice

Cold Weather

Due to the freezing weather conditions across the region a number of our customers are experiencing no water or reduced pressure, caused by frozen pipes in their home. There are a few things you can do to check if you have frozen pipes. If you are unable to complete these checks please reach out to your family, friends or neighbours to see if they can help:

  1. If there are no local issues check with your neighbours. If they have water, you may have a frozen pipe in your property.
  2. Here’s what to do. Turn off your stop tap by turning it clockwise, it’s usually found under your kitchen sink, but can be in your garage or cellar.
  3. Once you’ve turned your stop tap off, turn on your cold tap in the kitchen
  4. If you have no water, this could be due to a frozen pipe somewhere in your home. This may be the pipe which comes into your home near to where your stop tap is located.
  5. Carefully thaw the pipe using a warm towel, or if safe to do so a hairdryer in short bursts, ensuring you keep well away from water. If you can get water from a neighbour you could try a hot water bottle too. This could take a while, depending on how frozen and big your pipes are.
  6. Switch your stop tap back on to see if the water is running.

You can find more information at www.unitedutilities.com/frozenpipes.

If you have followed all of the advice provided and still want to talk to us, please give us a call. As we are experiencing really high call volumes at the moment, please bear with us as wait times will be longer than usual. 

Due to the freezing weather conditions across the region a number of our customers are experiencing no water or reduced pressure, caused by frozen pipes in their home. For more help and advice if you have a frozen pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/frozenpipes.

Cold Weather

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