Information about meters

Image of a water meterIf you’re thinking of applying for a water meter, we’ve answered some of the most popular questions we get asked below.

The meters we fit in your home are quite small, not much bigger than a tin of beans. 

To help you decide if a meter is right for you, please visit our Cheaper with a meter’ page to see how much you could save.

If you already have a water meter and have a question about it, or would like to find your meter or submit a meter reading, please visit 'I have a water meter'.

  • Our 'lowest bill guarantee' means you won't be worse off with a meter during the two year trial period and any savings you make are yours to keep!

    It works like this:

    Before we send you a bill, we will compare your meter charges against what you would have paid on your old rateable value bills over the same period. We then charge you whatever is the lowest amount.

    At the end of the two year trial period we will confirm if you’ve saved money with a meter. You can then stay on meter charges permanently or switch back to your old ratable value bills if you’ve not made a saving. You can't lose!

  • We normally fit the water meter free of charge inside your home on the water supply pipe (which is the pipe which brings water into your home) close to your stop tap. This is normally under your kitchen sink or in a downstairs toilet or garage. If we cannot fit the meter inside your home, we will fit it outside instead.

  • To apply for a water meter, call our friendly team on 0345 072 6065. We'll confirm a convenient date with you there and then over the phone so you'll know exactly when we will fit your new meter. We always aim to fit a meter within 4 weeks of receiving your application, sooner if we can. In the unlikely event that it takes longer than four weeks, we will normally credit your account with £6 for every full week we go beyond this (see our full terms and conditions for details).

    When we visit your home it normally only takes us around an hour to install the meter so we won't take up much of your day.

  • Nothing. We fit them free of charge.

  • Occasionally, it may not be possible to fit a water meter in your home. For example, if you share your water supply with other properties, you have more than one supply of water to your property or your pipework is not suitable. If that happens to you, all is not lost. We will review your account to see if paying your bill based on an assessed charge is a cheaper option (the amount you pay depends on the type of property you live in, unless you are eligible for our single person tariff or our pensioner tariff). If this is the case we will arrange for your tariff to be updated and let you know via a letter and a revised bill.

  • It depends on your tenancy agreement. If you have a fixed term tenancy agreement of less than six months, you must obtain the landlord's permission before applying for a meter. If in doubt, please speak to your landlord.

    If your tenancy is more than six months, you can apply online here.

  • Yes - you have up to 24 months from the date the meter is fitted to decide if you wish to go back to rateable value charges.

    Please contact us on 0345 072 6065 if you need to discuss whether going back to non-metered charges is the right thing for you. 

    We will leave the water meter in place though, because if you move home, the new occupiers will be billed using water meter readings.

Important notice

Heavy rainfall and sewer flooding

The heavy rainfall may be causing flooding in some parts of the region.

Our teams are out working hard across the region helping our customers who have experienced sewer flooding in their homes.

If you’re experiencing flooding from a road or footpath and there is no evidence of sewage (toilet paper etc.) please report this to your local council, who are responsible for highways drainage flooding.

Please be aware that our phone lines are much busier than normal, take a look at our flooding page for further advice on what to do if you’re affected by flooding.

Heavy rainfall across the North West may be causing flooding in some parts of the region. Our teams are out working hard across the region helping our customers who have experienced sewer flooding in their homes.

Flooding advice

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