30 March 2009
More UK homes need to have water meters installed to cope with increased demand in the future, according to the Environment Agency.
Water companies should also be encouraged to make commitments to reducing water usage, such as through rewards or installing efficiency appliances in customers' homes.
The organisation has also called for labels to be used to indicate how much water is used by different manufacturers.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency Paul Leinster explained: "Water is essential for life and vital to our economy.
"But climate change and population growth mean there may not be enough water in England and Wales in the future for people and the environment unless we start planning and acting now."
The Environment Agency recently carried out pollution checks across Bude in a bid to improve the quality of bath water in the area.