South East Water installs 9,000 meters
Nearly 9,000 water meters are being installed in Sevenoaks and surrounding areas of Kent from mid-August.
South East Water is installing meters in Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent and Sussex over the next nine years.
The South East has been identified as an area under severe water stress where compulsory meters can be fitted.
Charles Healey, metering manager, said the programme formed a key part of the company's plan to manage future demand for water for its 2.1m customers.
He said research had found customers on a water meter used 10% less water than those who were unmetered.
Information trailers will be in the area to answer customers' questions when the work is carried out.
The work starting in Kent next month is expected to take 35 weeks.