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Sept 2024
Yorkshire Water to install 1.3 million smart meters
Yorkshire Water has unveiled plans to replace 1.3 million water meters with smart metres in the county from next year.
The firm today said the move would improve services, reduce leakages and reduce the amount of chemicals used in water treatment.
The meters, which will be installed for free in exchange for existing non-smart meters, will be rolled out next year in South Yorkshire and the process is due to be completed by 2030.
The Stray Ferret asked when the roll-out would begin in North Yorkshire, but the firm said the timing was subject to final determination by Ofwat in December.
Yorkshire Water could be hit with a mammoth £47 million fine by the water regulator after it was found to be one of three water companies that failed to manage their wastewater treatments works adequately.
Adam Smith, manager of smart networks and metering transformation at the company, said:
By moving to smart meters, we can better understand water demand patterns and target water efficiency activity.
Smart metering provides greater insight into customer water use and helps ensure all customers are on the best tariff available to them, enhancing the ability to provide more regular and accurate water billing.
The changeover will also hekp to detect leaks and provide more accurate billing.
Mr Smith added:
Since the smart meter programme launched in 2022, we have been able to save 500,000 litres of water, just by identifying leakage on customers pipes. The expansion of the project will enable us to continue making these improvements and ultimately provide customers with a better experience.
The smart meters will be fitted in the same place as existing meters, which will likely be in a metal chamber in the road, a footpath or a customer’s garden.
Yorkshire Water said if the meter is internal, the new device would be installed next to the first table in the house, which is “usually under the sink”.
The firm told the Stray Ferret there would be "no charge" to customers for the meters and "no change" to any billing process.
The programme is "proactive", the firm said, which means Yorkshire Water will contact customers when the roll-out will come to their area.
The project is being delivered in partnership with Netmore, which will install, commission and maintain the smart meters. Morrison Water Services will also work with the network operator on the scehme.
The Stray Ferret published an in-depth article following Ofwat's report, which you can read here.
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