Thames Valley smart water meter rollout expands

Thames Water said it had already installed more than 1.2 million smart meters

Thames Water customers have started to receive letters about the rollout of smart meters across Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

The company said it plans to install and upgrade 1.1 million meters over the next five years, and up to three million by 2035.

The government classified the South East region as "seriously water stressed" in 2007 and approved the company's metering plan in June 2012, giving it legal powers to meter properties.

Mark Cooper, head of metering at the company, called the smart meters "the fairest option for customers, as people only pay for the water they use".

Thames Water is currently facing being restructured and has been heavily fined for breaching rules over sewage spills and shareholder payouts.

It said so far it has installed 1.2 million smart meters, and installation started in the Thames Valley in April.

The meters provide real-time data with up to 24 reads a day, compared with traditional meters, which are read twice a year.

Thames Water said its aim would be to install most of the meters outside of homes.

The letters to customers state their bills will show exactly how much water they have used.

"On average metered customers tend to use around 12% less water," Mr Cooper said.

He said the new smart meters were "not pre-paid" and there was flexibility available when it comes to bills.

"Customers who live in a low-income household may be able to access discount on their bill through WaterHelp," he said.

"In addition, customers who are on a water meter and who have a large family or have a water-dependent medical condition, may be able to cap their bills."