Smart meters to replace 1.3 million water meters

A programme to replace more than one million water meters with "smart" meters will be rolled out in South Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Water said that the technology would "reduce leakage" in homes and improve service.

The meter exchange is expected to begin in 2025, subject to Ofwat’s final determination, which is due in December 2024.

Smart meters that record electricity usage have already become commonplace in households.

The utility provider said the mass installation would ensure a more "robust" water supply, but also benefit customers by offering accurate billing and a better understanding of usage.

They would mainly be fitted in the same locations as existing meters.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "In general, that will be in a meter chamber in the road, footpath or customer's garden.

"Or if the meter is internal, it will be fitted next to the first tap of the house, usually under the sink."

Smart meters that track electricity and gas usage are now present in millions of British homes.

However, concerns have been raised about the information recorded by the devices and their reliability.

In December 2023, data showed almost three million smart meters in the UK were not working correctly.

As a result, some customers reported being wrongly charged for their energy consumption.

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