Meter fit on connection

From 1 April 2026, in most cases (see exclusions) we’ll fit a meter at the same time as we connect a new property to our water network.

This makes the whole end to end process shorter and more efficient for developers.

What does this mean for you?

The new process means:

Less site visits - we'll no longer need a separate visit to come back at a later date and fit the meter
Plot to postals/UPRN will need to be provided much earlier in the journey.

No need to call in to call off the meter fit – this will now be all done as part of the connection.
Less hassle for homeowners - the meter will already be fitted by the time a customer moves into the property saving them time and effort to get in touch to arrange for one to be installed.
A better experience – removing unnecessary visits means a smoother and more consistent end to end experience for developers.
We’ll monitor this change across the next financial year. If we can see that we’re getting all of the plot to postal information we need before connection from developers, we’ll then be able to take a look at how we can positively factor the process into our annual charges for future years.

What do you need to do to take advantage of the new process?

The new process will be a standard offering for any connections we make from 1 April 2026.

That’s why it’s even more important than ever that you give us the plot to postal information or UPRN as early as you possibly can so that we can assign the meter to the address and billing account ready for it to be set up. That’s why we’ll now ask you for this information when we verify your application. If you can’t give it to us at that point, we’ll ask for it again during a stage 2 visit and then for one final time when you get in touch with us to call off plots.

If you don’t give us the plot to postal information or UPRN before we make your connection, we might not be able to fit your meter and you’ll then need a separate, chargeable visit for us to come back to fit the meter.

To allow our new process to run smoothly, we’ll soon be asking two additional questions during the application process. We’ll ask:

Can you provide the plot to postal information or UPRN number at this stage?

You’ll then be able to choose from the following options:

Yes - Plot to Postal
Yes - UPRN Number
No

If you answer yes for either Plot to Postal or UPRN, we’ll ask you for the extra information associated with each option.

If you answer No, we’ll just remind you that we’ll need the information before your connection’s made.

The second new question we’ll ask in the application process is:

If possible at the time, please can you upload photos of labelled up pipes to ensure our gangs can install the meters to the correct properties?

The new questions will soon be part of our standard online applications, but they won’t be there from 1 April when the new process starts. That’s why in the meantime, so we can start sharing the benefits of this new process as quickly as possible, someone from our team will get in touch to ask you the two extra questions for any applications you have in flight or any new ones you might make. If you can’t give us the information then and there, we’ll ask again when you get in touch to book your connection.

Why have you been able to make this improvement?

Until now we’ve had to complete an internal Water Regs Inspection (WRI) before fitting the meter. This meant two visits to site – one to make the connection to the water network and then another to go back after the meter was fitted to inspect the internal fittings.

We’ve now been able to align our processes to those adopted more widely across the sector, which in turn has meant we can make the process more efficient by doing more in a single visit.

This doesn’t mean there’s less focus on Water Regulations. Our teams will continue to complete regular assurance audits to make sure our connection and installation quality remain at our usual high standards.

Are they any exclusions?

High Risk jobs will continue to go through the current process where they have to pass a water regulations inspection by the Water Regs team.
Internal meter fits will continue to have the meter fit by a CSR as per the current process.

Anything else you need to know?

The meter will accurately start recording water usage for that plot as soon as it’s installed.

If you have any questions please give us a call on 03456 066 087 anytime between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or drop us an email to connections@anglianwater.co.uk.

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