RESIDENTS in the Romsey area have been warned to be on their guard against bogus callers as a water meter installation programme moves to the area.

Southern Water is due to come to areas surrounding the town from late July or early August as part of its five-year programme to install devices to the majority of its customers.

Now it is reminding customers to watch out for bogus callers claiming to be from the |company.

Work will take place in the Cupernham Lane, Woodley and Whitenap Lane areas, with around 4,000 new meters being put in for local households by the autumn.

Households in and around North Baddesley will also receive their meters in the coming months.

However, work will not be carried out in the SO51 8 postcode area, which includes central Romsey, until the winter so that local events will not be disrupted.

The majority of meters will be installed in the pavement outside people’s homes.

Southern Water said, in most cases, the installation of a new meter will not involve Southern Water staff or contractors needing to enter people’s homes.

Where it is necessary, the company said an appointment would be made in advance.

It said staff working on the Southern Water metering programme are identified by their uniforms and vehicles carrying the Southern Water name and logo.

If in doubt, residents should ask for their identification card.

Southern Water staff, as well as contractors working for the company, are fully aware of this procedure and should be happy to provide this.

Savings You can also phone the Southern Water metering customer call centre on 0333 2003 013 to ask for confirmation and a password system can also be set up for the most vulnerable |customers.

The company said it is installing more than 500,000 meters across Hampshire, Sussex and Kent as part of plans to save water.

It is thought that people on a water meter tend to use ten per cent less water and Southern Water say the meter can help detect leaks in customers’ supply pipes.