Welsh Water plans to start installing smart meters in two years' time as part of a wider strategy to reduce demand. Like energy meters, the idea is that real-time information about usage would encourage customers to use less water. Drought risk is expected to increase due to climate change.
Smart meters would also enable Welsh Water to target customer supply leaks more effectively. The not-for-profit company aims to start installing them in properties which don't already have a meter from 2025 onwards, according to its latest long-term water resources management plan (WRMP).
Welsh Water serves just over three million people. As March 2021, only 47% of its customers had a meter - most of which are read manually - compared to an industry average of 63%.
