LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) recently released research which says that one in five customers say their water charges are not affordable, according to a press release.
Itron, a smart metering specialist, has reacted to the results of the CCWater survey, noted the release.
According to the release, Bernard McWeeney, water and heat manager at Itron has made the following comments:
“Unfortunately for the UK, water is a product of little interest for consumers, with most simply expecting it to appear when the taps are turned. This can result in customers not seeing sufficient value for money from their water supplier – so the bills they pay may seem excessive for the service they receive. And bearing in mind that water customers have far less contact with their suppliers compared to energy customers because they can’t switch, there are fewer opportunities for customers to understand the full scope of the service they are receiving.
In order to address this, water utilities need to do more to communicate with customers about the service they provide and the value they add. For example, deploying smart meters would be a valuable tool in achieving this, because they can provide a wealth of knowledge on usage, provide accuracy and spot leakages quickly — helping customers to become aware of how they use water and get a handle on their bills.
The CCWater survey also states that six in 10 consumers would apply for a meter if it saved them money. This aligns with our own research which finds that 68 percent of consumers want more information about cutting the cost of utility bills. Consumers want to spend less, and although meters don’t automatically save money, they are vital tool in enacting behavioral changes that result in lower bills.”
