Why smart meters?
Save water & reduce your bill
We are currently developing the capability for us to share the smart meter data with you. When this is ready, and the meter is active, a detailed breakdown of your usage across the day will be visible on your online account.
If your water usage seems higher than expected, we may get in touch to see if we can help.
Reduce your water usage and save money on your bill with our water saving tips.
Reduce Leakage
We're working towards halving our leakage by 2050. Smart metering will help us in understanding leakage on the customer side.
As smart meters can see hourly meter readings, it will be able to indicate if you are continuously using water through the day and night which is normally a sign you have a leak. If a leak isn't fixed, it can cause significant damage to your property.
We may be in contact with you to let you know if we have detected a constant flow of water.
Help the environment
Smart Metering will support in reducing leakage and water use, protecting water resources for the future.
Smart Meters can be read remotely through our smart meter network, meaning fewer vans on the road to collect readings and a smaller carbon footprint.
The tech that detects leaks
When will I get a smart meter?
We'll be upgrading meters installed before 2020 over the next 5 years. If the meter at your property was installed after 2020, we won't be exchanging it at this time.
| Location postcode area | Planned date |
|---|---|
| Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham | January 2025 - March 2027 |
| Wakefield and Doncaster | April 2026 - March 2027 |
| Leeds | April 2026 - March 2028 |
| Bradford, Harrogate | April 2027 - March 2028 |
| York | April 2027 - March 2029 |
| Hull, Darlington and Halifax | April 2028 - March 2029 |
| Huddersfield | April 2028 - September 2029 |
| All remaining areas | April 2029 - September 2029 |
We're working in partnership with Netmore and M Group Water to upgrade the meters and develop a network for the meters to remotely connect to.
We're currently working in Sheffield and Rotherham
We're working in the postcode areas: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S17, S26, S25, S66 and S81. Feel free to call M Group Water at 01274 299220 to book your appointment today if you have an indoor meter and live in any of these postcode areas.
What do I need to do?
Indoor meters
You'll get a text from M Group with a link to book an appointment at a time that's best for you.
You could also get a call or letter with information on how to book an appointment.
Feel free to call us on 01274 299220 if you live in one of the listed postcodes to book your appointment.
Outside meters
As long as we can get to the existing water meter, you won’t need to lift a finger. We’ll call round to let you know what we’re doing, but don’t worry if you’re not home.
If we get to your meter (eg. if the gate is locked), we might need help getting access. If you're not home, we'll leave a note explaining why we couldn't do the work and reschedule it for another time.
Where's my water meter?
Inside your home...
If your water meter is indoors, you’ll usually find it close to where the water supply enters your home, often near the internal stop tap.
Your meter could be:
- Near the downstairs toilet
- In the utility room
- In the garage
- Under the sink
Outside your home...
Your water meter will likely be near the incoming water pipe or stop tap.
But it could also be:
- At the end of the property
- Along a footpath outside your home
- Verge
- On your driveway
What does a water meter look like?
Your meter is a unit about the size of a baked bean tin, connected to the water pipe.
It has a dial on top and is generally black and white in colour.
Priority Services Register
If you have a medical need and are water dependant, we’ll always book an appointment with you- whether your meter is inside or outside.
If you haven’t already, please sign up.
Any questions?
When will you start collecting data?
We’ll start collecting data once our smart infrastructure is set up. This is something that will vary across the region as we upgrade the meters.
I already have a water meter, can I switch to a smart meter?
We'll be upgrading meters installed before 2020 over the next 5 years. If your meter was installed after this time we won't be exchanging it at this time.
How do I know if my home has a smart meter?
If you have one of these devices on your meter, it will be smart:
We'll have written to you or left a calling card if your property was having a smart meter fitted.
If you’re unsure whether you've have been upgraded to a smart meter, check the back of your latest bill or give us a call on 0345 1 25 25 20.
I am moving into a house with a smart meter, do I have to use the meter?
Yes, if your home already has a smart meter you'll have to use it. Properties built after 1990 have been fitted with water meters and from 2023 new build properties will be fitted with a smart meter.
If you're worried about paying your bill, there are ways we can help.
I've had a smart meter fitted, will my billing change?
How often you receive your bill will not change, however smart meter data will allow us to bill you more accurately on your actual meter readings rather than estimating.
Please note, if your smart meter is unable to send us regular readings, we may have to estimate your bill.
What information do smart meters collect?
We only collect information about the water that flows through your smart meter.
You can find out more about the data we collect in our smart meter privacy policy.
Can I see the data collected by my smart meter?
We are currently developing the capability for us to share the smart meter data with you. Once this is ready, you'll be able to see the data in your online account.
Are smart meters safe?
Yes, Public Health England has advised the radio waves produced by smart meters don't pose a risk to health. Our smart meters are low powered, emitting far fewer radio waves than a mobile phone. They comply with UK and EU safety regulations.
What sort of energy is emitted from the device?
The emission power of the Itron radio modules is limited to 25mW, which is 12 times less than that of a GSM mobile phone (radiated power up to 300mW) and 10 times less than that of a cordless phone (radiated power peaks at 250 mW). Those devices are held to the ear, while a smart meter is located away from the user, often outside the property. Power is therefore minimised. In LoRaWAN, the meter’s radio module only wakes up a few times per day (4 times in standard configuration) to broadcast its data in a short communication, less than 3 seconds. so the 25mW emision only happens for 12 seconds per day in total.
Will I be getting a display to show my usage like my energy smart meter?
No, you will not be provided a separate display like your energy smart meter.
We're currently developing the capability for us to share the smart meter data with you. Once this is ready, you'll be able to see the data in your online account.
Can I opt out of smart metering?
Customers won’t be able to opt out of the smart meter rollout. We are only rolling this out to customers who are already on a meter or if a new meter is being installed. We won't be making customers switch to a meter if they don't already have one.