IT’S turning into the Great Water Meter Lottery.

As homes in Southampton begin to receive their first bills under the new regime, there are winners but big losers.

Some homeowners are reporting their bills have doubled since meters were introduced.

Now the water watchdog is monitoring the bill hikes to make sure that struggling families can cope with annual payments of more than £600.

Southern Water argues that metering is by far the best fairest way of charging – and is vital to save Hampshire from a water shortage disaster.

Opening the envelope that had fallen through his letterbox, Lee Bowers could not believe what he was seeing.

He was shocked to read that his water bill was set to almost double thanks to the meter that was forced on him.

Yet less than a mile away in Sholing, Valerie Wells was astonished to find her bill would fall by more than half.

The contrasting experiences of Mrs Wells, who lives with just her husband, and Mr Bowers, living in a household of four, perfectly illustrates the city’s water meter lottery.

Up until now water bills have been based on the rateable value of homes.

But since the introduction of compulsory meters, customers will be now be charged on their usage.

Southern Water says this is fairer, as well as saving 10 to 12 million litres of water a day.

Yet larger households are coming to terms with bills doubling to more than £600 if they don’t start rationing how much comes out of their taps.

They will be particularly shocked to discover that in non-metered areas of the UK, the average bill is just £376 per household. And that was after a controversial four per cent hike in January.

Southern Water admits while there are winners there are also losers in the scheme.

Spokesman Joel Hufford said: “The vast majority of our customers agree that paying for the amount of water they use, as measured by a water meter, is the fairest way to charge and puts them in control of their bills.

“And people on a water meter tend to use about 10 per cent less water, so we are making sure we can continue to supply quality drinking water.”

Southern Water’s figures shows 58 per cent of households switched to metered charges so far are expected to see their water bills go down on a meter, with four out of every five of those customers saving more than £50 compared to their old bill.

However, about 42 per cent of households are estimated to see their bills go up - and most will paying at least £50 more.

Mr Bowers, 46, an MoT tester, said: “It seems that it will be families who are most hit especially in this period of economic gloom and energy bill rises.

“People without water meters yet should be warned of the impending doom coming their way.”

Mrs Wells, 64, said: “It is a really good idea. It will make people really aware they have to save water. It makes sense to pay as you go.”