Around six thousand new water meters are being installed in Newmarket as Anglian Water steps up its efforts to help customers save water and money.

Letters have been sent to more than 6,500 households in the CB5 postcode area around Newmarket and surrounding villages. Work is due to start this week.  

Householders do not have to use the new meters, which are installed free of charge, and can continue to receive an unmeasured bill as before. Those who do switch will be able to switch back at anytime in the first two years.  

However, in areas where meters have already been installed, they have been shown on average to save £100 from a household’s annual water bill.  

The meters are part of the biggest water efficiency drive the East of England has ever seen, with  Anglian Water aiming to install 183,000 meters across the region by 2015.  

Antony Innes said: “It may seem odd that a water company actually wants people to use less water and charge them less, but we are serious about it. We don’t want customers to pay for a drop more than they use.  

“The drought that hit our region recently, led to the first hosepipe ban in over 20 years to help safeguard supplies and was a reminder of just how important it is to use water efficiently.  

“Using a water meter is a simple and very effective way to reduce the amount you use each day.”  

With 70 per cent of Anglian Water customers already metered and paying for exactly what they use, the region is already tuning in to water efficiency.  

Antony continued: “Millions of people in the region are already seeing the benefits, but millions more could be saving money.        

“We want to help our customers make the most of the water they use, and show that water efficiency really makes a difference. That’s why we are encouraging customers across the region to switch to a water meter.  

“In April, we also launched our ‘Drop20’ campaign, offering customers hints and tips to reduce their water use in the home and garden by around two buckets each day.  

“With the long term forecast for our region promising more people and less rain we all need to do what we can to help conserve water and make sure there is more to go around.”  

Anyone with questions about the metering programme or who wants to get a meter fitted, can call Anglian Water’s meter installation team on 0845 850 5852