Consumer Council: Water meters are a 'risk' for financially stressed

Wednesday, December 9th 2009

The Consumer Council for Water says a review of water metering is a "missed opportunity for those in financial stress".

Anna Walker led the Independent Review of Charging for Household Water and Sewerage Services, which was published on December 8th.

One of the key issues raised was that there should be a major increase in the use of water meters.

Currently 35 per cent of households in England operate on a meter system, but Ms Walker advises that this should be increased to 80 per cent by 2020

But a spokesperson for the consumer council says the recommendations are "only part of the solution … and do not yet go far enough to help customers in England and Wales."

When asked whether their water bills are affordable, one in five customers answer 'no', said the organisation.

Ms Walker's report noted that debt in the water industry is three times higher than in the energy sector, despite bills costing a third of energy charges.

"With more meters come risks" the organisation claimed, and before there is a large scale switch to metering, protection needs to be in place for those who may struggle to afford such charges.