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The Southern Water region has been classed as an area of severe water stress and the pressures of climate change and population growth are putting further pressure on resources.
To combat this, Southern Water is changing the way it supplies and bills its domestic customers by launching a comprehensive Metering Programme. Of Southern Water’s 1 million households about 40 per cent are already metered. This will rise to about 92 per cent with nearly 500,000 new meters installed at properties by 2015.
The Metering Programme is a first for the UK water industry. Southern Water has designed the programme to offer an opportunity for wide ranging customer engagement on the key issues of saving water, saving energy and saving money.
Households that have a water meter tend to use around 10 percent less water than those on a fixed charge. Metering allows households to take control of their water use and by reducing water waste they can cut their water and carbon footprint and save money on their household bills.
Groundwork has been contracted to deliver the customer engagement work.
This fits broadly into three areas:
a) Field Marketing – On the day of the meter installation, Groundwork will be on hand to discuss this programme with the customers. We will provide a Mobile Exhibition Unit for customers to visit to learn more about the scheme and ways in which they can save water, to help them save energy and save money on their water and energy bills. Our teams will also go door-to-door to explain the programme and provide an opportunity for the customers to access further information or grants.
b) Home Water & Energy Audits – our experts, Green Doctor, will provide efficiency advice to some customers to help reduce their overall utility bill outlay. This service will be delivered in the home, by phone and online to Southern Water’s most impacted customers; particularly those who are most vulnerable.
c) Benefits Advice – A further service will be offered to Southern Water’s most vulnerable customers. Groundwork will refer these customers directly to IncomeMAX who will ensure the customers are receiving their maximum benefit entitlement so they are able to meet their essential expenses.
