26 June 2006
The government is examining the possibility of introducing compulsory water meters, according to a report yesterday.
A "top industry executive" told the Mail on Sunday that environment secretary David Miliband was looking at a staggered introduction of meters throughout the UK.
"The option being looked at is not a "big bang" approach, but a gradual phasing in," the senior industry source told the Mail on Sunday.
"On the plus side, he can make the case that average bills reduce by about 15% when metering is introduced, but there are significant problems."
The south-east of England has particularly acute water shortages, owing to unusually low levels of rain and high amounts of leakage.
The source told the paper: "Allowing compulsory metering only in water shortage areas has big problems because of the cost of installation and because if it is justified on fairness, it should be equally fair anywhere."
Sources close to Mr Miliband said that discussions had not taken place with industry figures over compulsory installation, but added that his department did want to make it easier for companies to make metering compulsory.
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