South East Water expects to have installed 375,000 water meters in total by 2020, which means almost 90 per cent of customers in its region will pay only for the water they use.

The water company’s metering programme began in Kent five years ago and has been progressing through the county on a street by street basis.  Households in Herne and Seasalter are next in line for  South East Water’s programme to install domestic water meters. The company will be fitting meters for customers in the towns and surrounding villages, if one is not already installed.

Oluseyi Onifade, South East Water’s Metering Manager said:

“By moving to a water meter, customers will have control over their water use. Once we introduce the metered charge, like gas and electricity bills, customers only pay for what they use. It’s a fairer way to pay and if they use water wisely and don’t waste it, they could also see their water bills reduce.”

 “Water meters help manage demand in water stressed areas as they help us detect leaks and encourage customers to think about their water use.

“Research has found customers with a water meter use 10 per cent less water than those who are unmetered as it encourages people to think about how they use water.”

Once the installation of meters has completed in Herne and Seasalter, the programme will move into Yorkletts and Chestfield later in 2016.