Government orders water meters to be installed in millions more homes

Daily Mail
Thursday, February 7, 2008

Water meters should be installed in virtually every home in drought-stricken areas of England to conserve water, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said today.

The Government is also to undertake a review of water charges across the country - including metering and tariffs - in a bid to reduce water usage and ensure a fair payment system.

Mr Benn said there was a need for "near universal metering" by 2030 in areas with severe water shortages such as the South-East.

In a wide-ranging new water strategy, the Government also announced plans to remove phosphates from washing powders to cut pollution.

And they will bring in requirements for householders to get planning permission for paving their front gardens, unless they use materials which are porous, allowing surface water to soak away instead of flowing into sewers.

The measures form part of the new Government water strategy for England, Future Water, which aims to tackle the challenges posed by climate change and population increases.

"The case for metering everywhere is not clear cut but in areas of water stress we need near universal metering before 2030," Mr Benn said.

"Some 30 per cent of households have a meter and all new houses are having meters installed as a matter of course.

"We know that it reduces demand by about 10 per cent which is really important in areas of water stress."

With an increasing disparity between bills for those with meters and those without, Mr Benn also said the review of water charges would need to consider how to protect vulnerable groups such as those on low incomes and the elderly.

The Environment Department wants to reverse the trend of rising water use and cut consumption from current levels of around 150 litres per person per day to 130 litres, or even 120 litres if possible.

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