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Metered South East Water customers are using 15 per cent less water according to the company, which made its 100,000th installation as part of its compulsory metering programme yesterday.
In addition, South East Water said the majority of customers who have had meters installed as part of the programme, have seen their bills decrease.
Steve George, customer services director for South East Water, told Utility Week: “So far, more people are finding their bills lower than expected, however this could be a result of the continuing rain which ironically has been pouring since we began installing the meters.
“Although the early indications are positive, when we get another hot dry period we may see this trend reverse so we are continuing to closely monitor the figures to ensure we are supporting those customers that need it.”
The company said water meters also help to identify leaks on customers’ own supply pipes.
The milestone marks a third of the programme completed, according to the company, which has been installing meters since the summer of 2011.
South East Water is aiming to complete the programme by 2019, by which point at least 90 per cent of its customers will have a water meter installed.
The programme’s next phase will see 23,000 meters installed in Maidstone over two years.
George added: “Metering is the right thing to do – for our customers and for the environment.
“The key to this is that, because it’s a fairer way of paying, based on the actual volume of water customers use, we are helping to raise customer awareness of the water resources challenges we face in the South East and improve water efficiency.”
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