Coming soon, compulsory water meters for all

Published 31st Jan 2011

Ministers will unveil proposals next month designed to cut average water use from 148 to 130 litres per person per day by 2030.

The cost of installing a meter will run to £200 per house, a sum likely to be passed on to consumers. It is expected that 80% of households in England will pay for water using a meter by 2020.

Those who use the highest levels of water will be worst affected. This includes large families, the disabled and those who regularly water large gardens or wash their cars.

However, those who tend to use less, such as the elderly and those who live alone, would see their bills greatly reduced.

The current system sees each household without a meter pay a fixed annual sum for their water based on their home's rateable value. Those with a meter pay just for the water they use.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is understood to have accepted in principle that future water charges should be based on metering, with the aim of cutting waste. Government sources said no decision had been made but proposals are expected in weeks.

Civil servant Anna Walker, who has prepared a report on the issue for ministers, is calling for legislation to enforce the installation of more meters.

'Most of us find water and sewerage services cheap - less than a £1 per day for some households,' Mrs Walker said. 'But the future looks rather different.

'A combination of significant population growth, the effects of climate change and the need to renew what is often Victorian infrastructure will put increasing pressure on both the availability and the cost of water. Charging by volume of water used is the most effective way of incentivising the efficient use of water.'

There is increasing concern that the 60% of households without a water meter are being punished with hugely inflated bills, which can be more than £300 a year higher.

The water industry has been accused of using price pressure to effectively force households to switch to water meters.

Ministers are considering targeting metering in areas where water shortages are most severe, and doing more to persuade people to switch voluntarily.

Source: ' ThisIsMoney '

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