Moving to metering
Together, we’re on a mission to protect our precious water sources for future generations.
Starting from April 2025 we’re ensuring as many homes as possible across our region have water meters, helping you save water, manage your usage, and contribute to a sustainable future.
You could make a saving on your supply and waste water charges, plus on energy bills with a water meter.
Pay for what you use
Water meters are the fairest way to pay, as your bill is based on the amount of water you use.
Track your water use
Your water use will be available in your bills and online account.
Find leaks faster
A water meter also allows us to spot leaks on our network so we can fix them quicker.
Save money
You could save on your wastewater and energy costs from heating less water.
How much could your household save?
Per £1 saved on your water supply from saving water the potential saving across utilities are:
Water meters are generally fitted outside the home and measure the amount of water you use. From our data, on average people use about 50 cubic metres of water a year. But this can vary depending on your household.
The table below shows you how much fresh water and waste water charges would be on a meter, depending on whether your household is a low, average or above average water user. This can be used to compare your current bills against the charges detailed below to see if savings can be made.
Our Lowest Bill Promise
- Your future bills will be every six months, based on how much water you use.
- To help you adjust to any potential increase in costs compared to your current unmeasured charges, we’re offering a Lowest Bill Promise
- Our Lowest Bill Promise means we’ll automatically charge you the lower rate (metered or unmeasured) for your first two six monthly bills. If you pay by Direct Debit, or another payment plan, this will continue automatically.
- We’ll take care of all of this; there’s nothing you need to do.
You may be eligible for a lower tariff depending on your circumstances
If you receive benefits AND have a dependant/a medical condition OR you have a household income under £21,000 you may be eligible for capped water bills at a lower cost.
Helpful resources to help save water
- Top tips on how to save water from WaterWise
- Feel-good changes to save water and our planet from the Consumer Council for Water
- Free water-saving devices from our partnership with GetWaterFit
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to have a meter?
Yes. It’s up to all of us to protect our water and there is clear evidence that smart water meters help us do this.
We have a legal obligation to manage the water supply in our region as set out by our regulator. To protect our precious water, we need to make it much easier to find leaks and faults. We also have a responsibility to help our customers and our communities become more water efficient and aware of water use in the home.
Who is eligible for the Lowest Bill Safety Net?
If we’re switching you to a metered account because you already have a meter, or you’re getting a new smart water meter, you’ll be eligible for the Lowest Bill Safety Net.
Those who are already on our lowest tariffs such as WaterSure and Helping Hand pay the lowest charge whether they have a meter or not, so don’t qualify for the Lowest Bill Safety Net.
When does the Lowest Bill Safety Net end?
If you’re protected by our Lowest Bill Safety Net, this will end exactly 12 months after you receive a closing statement from us. This closing statement will include the date that you’ll start paying metered charges.
We’ll keep in touch with you over the 12-month Lowest Bill Safety Net period, so you know when to expect the change.
How will I know if I’m being charged the lower rate?
On your first and second metered bill during the Lowest Bill Safety Net 12-month period, we’ll show you two charges. One charge will show you the metered bill and the other will be the unmeasured bill. We’ll charge you the lowest of the two options.
Can I opt-out of the Lowest Bill Safety Net?
If you want to start paying your metered charges straight away, please let us know by emailing [email protected].
How will you charge me the lower amount on the Lowest Bill Safety Net if the first time you read my meter is 6 months away?
We’ll take a meter reading to get a starting point for your metered account. Then, we’ll estimate your water use based on your household occupancy for the first six months until we read your meter.
When we read your meter after six months, we’ll recalculate your payment.
Does the Lowest Bill Safety Net change my payment plan or Direct Debit?
Currently we send you an annual bill and you have various options available as to how you can pay. For customers who are billed on a water meter we will send you a bill every six months when we have read the water meter, and you have the same payment options available to you.
If you currently pay by monthly direct debit we will change the amount you pay to reflect your new charging basis, and the payments will be over a continuous 12 months.
I don’t think I use much water. Am I paying more on a social tariff than on a meter?
It’s unlikely that you would be paying more on a social tariff. However, you can request a meter reading or read the meter yourself if this is possible to help estimate your costs. Another way to estimate your costs is using our water calculator.
If you have questions about what you’re paying, please contact us on 023 9249 9666.
What happens after the 12-month Lowest Bill Safety Net period ends?
After the Lowest Bill Safety Net period ends, we’ll start charging you based on your meter readings in the way that you’ve chosen to be billed.
Does Portsmouth Water share my meter reading with my wastewater company in the Lowest Bill Safety Net period?
Yes. When we read the meter every 6 months and then pass these readings to your wastewater company. They will normally base their charges for wastewater on 92.5% of the consumption recorded by the meter.
I’m a Priority Services customer and rely on an increased water consumption. Will my bills remain affordable?
Our priority is supporting all our customers, particularly those who need extra support day-to-day. You may be eligible for our WaterSure tariff, which caps your bills.
What if I have a leak?
If you already know you have a leak, we encourage you to get this fixed as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary charges and wasting water. If you need to contact a plumber, check our list of Water Safe approved plumbers. We also have different support and policies that might be helpful if you’re concerned about leaks.
Who do I contact to talk about the meter or metered bill?
We’re here to support you in the switch to metering. You can contact our friendly team at [email] or call us on 023 9249 9666.
Can I read the water meter?
Yes, you may be able to but if you have difficulty in reading the meter, or if the lid for the meter is too heavy to lift, we can arrange to read the meter and advise you of the reading. Please contact us by email or phone if this is of interest to you.
- Find the meter in a box with the stoptap, usually in the pavement or property driveway.
- Open the cover carefully with the tip of a screwdriver.
- The number display is similar to gas or electricity meters.
- The black digits record the consumption in cubic metres.
- Read from left to right to obtain the current reading. You should ignore any red figures.
Watch a video to find out how to read the water meter.
Where can I find my water use?
The simplest way to access your meter reads to understand your water use is through your online account. Go to ‘usage’ where you’ll find details of your water consumption in litres.
Can I save money with a water meter?
Many customers find that metering helps them save water and money overall, and we’re here to help you do the same and support you throughout this transition. With a meter you will:
- Only pay for what you use
- Potentially save money on your wastewater and energy costs from heating less water
- Know how much water you're using every six months through your bill or your online account
- Save water to protect our local water sources and wildlife.
Get an idea of how much water you’re using and if you could save with our water calculator.
Why am I being switched to metered billing if I already have a meter but it wasn’t active?
To make sure we leave enough water in our area for the next generations, we’re ensuring as many homes across our supply region have active water meters as possible.
Research shows that households with meters typically use 12% less water, nearly 20 litres per person a day, which can have a meaningful impact for our water’s future.
More than 70% of our customers support the move to metering, yet only 37% of homes in our area are metered, the lowest proportion in the South East.
We also have a legal obligation to manage the water supply in our region as set out by our regulator and to help our customers and our communities become more water efficient and aware of water use in the home.
What support is available if I struggle to pay my bills after the switch?
We’re here to support you if you need it. If you have difficulties paying, please don't delay in contacting us. We can agree a repayment amount that is affordable for you.
Explore our support options or contact us on 023 9249 9666.
When will I get a smart water meter?
We’re giving customers smart water meters based on a carefully designed plan. This plan makes sure we cover our area in the most economical way and consider things like high leakage areas and population density.
Yes. It’s up to all of us to protect our water and there is clear evidence that smart water meters help us do this.
We have a legal obligation to manage the water supply in our region as set out by our regulator. To protect our precious water, we need to make it much easier to find leaks and faults. We also have a responsibility to help our customers and our communities become more water efficient and aware of water use in the home.
If we’re switching you to a metered account because you already have a meter, or you’re getting a new smart water meter, you’ll be eligible for the Lowest Bill Safety Net.
Those who are already on our lowest tariffs such as WaterSure and Helping Hand pay the lowest charge whether they have a meter or not, so don’t qualify for the Lowest Bill Safety Net.
If you’re protected by our Lowest Bill Safety Net, this will end exactly 12 months after you receive a closing statement from us. This closing statement will include the date that you’ll start paying metered charges.
We’ll keep in touch with you over the 12-month Lowest Bill Safety Net period, so you know when to expect the change.
On your first and second metered bill during the Lowest Bill Safety Net 12-month period, we’ll show you two charges. One charge will show you the metered bill and the other will be the unmeasured bill. We’ll charge you the lowest of the two options.
If you want to start paying your metered charges straight away, please let us know by emailing [email protected].
We’ll take a meter reading to get a starting point for your metered account. Then, we’ll estimate your water use based on your household occupancy for the first six months until we read your meter.
When we read your meter after six months, we’ll recalculate your payment.
Currently we send you an annual bill and you have various options available as to how you can pay. For customers who are billed on a water meter we will send you a bill every six months when we have read the water meter, and you have the same payment options available to you.
If you currently pay by monthly direct debit we will change the amount you pay to reflect your new charging basis, and the payments will be over a continuous 12 months.
It’s unlikely that you would be paying more on a social tariff. However, you can request a meter reading or read the meter yourself if this is possible to help estimate your costs. Another way to estimate your costs is using our water calculator.
If you have questions about what you’re paying, please contact us on 023 9249 9666.
After the Lowest Bill Safety Net period ends, we’ll start charging you based on your meter readings in the way that you’ve chosen to be billed.
Yes. When we read the meter every 6 months and then pass these readings to your wastewater company. They will normally base their charges for wastewater on 92.5% of the consumption recorded by the meter.
Our priority is supporting all our customers, particularly those who need extra support day-to-day. You may be eligible for our WaterSure tariff, which caps your bills.
If you already know you have a leak, we encourage you to get this fixed as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary charges and wasting water. If you need to contact a plumber, check our list of Water Safe approved plumbers. We also have different support and policies that might be helpful if you’re concerned about leaks.
We’re here to support you in the switch to metering. You can contact our friendly team at [email] or call us on 023 9249 9666.
Yes, you may be able to but if you have difficulty in reading the meter, or if the lid for the meter is too heavy to lift, we can arrange to read the meter and advise you of the reading. Please contact us by email or phone if this is of interest to you.
- Find the meter in a box with the stoptap, usually in the pavement or property driveway.
- Open the cover carefully with the tip of a screwdriver.
- The number display is similar to gas or electricity meters.
- The black digits record the consumption in cubic metres.
- Read from left to right to obtain the current reading. You should ignore any red figures.
Watch a video to find out how to read the water meter.
The simplest way to access your meter reads to understand your water use is through your online account. Go to ‘usage’ where you’ll find details of your water consumption in litres.
Many customers find that metering helps them save water and money overall, and we’re here to help you do the same and support you throughout this transition. With a meter you will:
- Only pay for what you use
- Potentially save money on your wastewater and energy costs from heating less water
- Know how much water you're using every six months through your bill or your online account
- Save water to protect our local water sources and wildlife.
Get an idea of how much water you’re using and if you could save with our water calculator.
To make sure we leave enough water in our area for the next generations, we’re ensuring as many homes across our supply region have active water meters as possible.
Research shows that households with meters typically use 12% less water, nearly 20 litres per person a day, which can have a meaningful impact for our water’s future.
More than 70% of our customers support the move to metering, yet only 37% of homes in our area are metered, the lowest proportion in the South East.
We also have a legal obligation to manage the water supply in our region as set out by our regulator and to help our customers and our communities become more water efficient and aware of water use in the home.
We’re here to support you if you need it. If you have difficulties paying, please don't delay in contacting us. We can agree a repayment amount that is affordable for you.
Explore our support options or contact us on 023 9249 9666.
We’re giving customers smart water meters based on a carefully designed plan. This plan makes sure we cover our area in the most economical way and consider things like high leakage areas and population density.