The Effect of Metering on Water Consumption. A Policy Note (2015)

This policy note presents a preliminary analysis of the impact of metering on water consumption. It draws on data from a metering programme carried out by Southern Water in South East of England in 2010, with the aim to have installed 500,000 meters by 2015. The data was conducted between 2011 and 2014. The study found that the Universal Metering Programme (UMP) resulted in immediate impacts. With an overall reduction of 16.5 % in water consumption, it suggests that households respond to the installation of meters.