11 May 2007
A report from the Environment Agency has revealed that UK residents, particularly those in the south-east, would greatly benefit from having a water meter fitted.
Other water saving devices, including "hippos" which limit the amount of water used in each toilet flush, are also recommended in the report.
Pushing for compulsory metering was the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Barbara Young, arguing that when combined with water efficiency measures such as low flow showers and subsidising the replacement of old toilets with low flush models, households could save at least 65 megalitres of water a day across the south-east - equivalent to around 26 swimming pools.
"The best results show schemes that combine metering with retrofitting water savings measures, because installing water efficient devices or appliances can financially benefit metered customers," said Ms Young.
"Across the whole of the south east, the expected increase in demand from new developments by 2015 will be in the region of 160 megalitres a day. Retrofitting could cater for up to half of this increase.
Ms Young went on to stress that everyone needed to be "smarter about the way we use water", adding that many of the recommended installations and additions would end up paying for themselves within months.
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