26 November 2008
A water company is to test an alternative method of charging in a trial that will involve around 1,000 households in Devon and Cornwall.
According to the BBC, South West Water (SWW) will try out a new rising block tariff that will allow consumers who use less water to benefit from lower rates.
The system could encourage households to reduce their water consumption, saving money and contributing to environmental efforts.
Beginning next year, the trial will see customers using what is deemed to be an essential level of water charged the least amount.
Bills will then rise in stages according to whether households consume low, medium or premium levels over a given period of time.
The Consumer Council for Water - which is an independent consumer body - has branded the pilot "innovative".
SWW supplies water and sewerage services to 1.6 million customers in the south-west of England. The company was privatised in 1989.
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