The UK’s smart water meter roll-out is well underway and is set to continue through to 2035.
The roll-out is a major step towards protecting our water resources and supporting the UK’s journey to net zero. But if you’ve recently had a smart meter installed, or are expecting one soon, you might be wondering what happens next.
Read on to find out what to expect from your water smart meter and what happens after it’s installed.
The benefits of having a smart meter
Once your smart meter is up and running, it will provide near real-time insight into your water usage, giving you greater visibility and more control than before.
This means:
- even more accurate bills – we’ll use smart meter data to ensure your bills are as accurate as possible by billing on actual reads rather than using estimates, and
- better visibility of your water consumption – we’ll be able to help you spot unusual consumption and identify opportunities to reduce water waste and your costs.
Over time, this insight can play a key role in improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact and supporting your organisation’s sustainability goals.
You can find out more information about smart water meters and view our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Why installation doesn’t always mean ‘ready’
Your water wholesaler is responsible for installing your smart meter. But for your smart meter to start sending data, it needs to be connected to the network and ‘enabled’.
- In some cases, this happens quickly, meaning we can begin using your smart meter data straight away.
- In others, there may be a delay before the meter is fully connected to the network.
If there’s a delay, we’ll continue to take manual readings to ensure your billing remains accurate. You can also collect and submit readings yourself (where it’s safe to do so), through your My Business Stream account.
Once your smart meter is enabled, we’ll start using the data to support accurate billing and identify unusual water usage or patterns.
What happens next?
Water wholesalers will begin sharing smart meter data with retailers through a central Smart Meter Read Hub, expected to become mandatory from December 2026.
In time, you’ll be able to view your smart meter data through our online portal, My Business Stream. This gives you direct access to all your information, including your smart meter reads.
What you can do to prepare for your smart meter installation
Registering for My Business Stream will ensure you’re set up and ready to go when your smart meter becomes enabled. By registering for My Business Stream, you’ll be able to:
- access your account 24/7
- submit meter readings
- make payments
- view your balance and manage your details, and
- track your smart meter data when it becomes available.
- Find out more and register on our My Business Stream
- You can also find out more about smart metering and what to expect from the roll-out through our smart metering website page.