Water companies across a third of the country will be required to consider fitting all properties in their areas with a water meter and billing customers for every drop they use.
Under the order, approved this week by Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, some family water bills could double.
It follows warnings from the Government’s environment specialists that climate change and England’s growing population will put the future supply of water in reservoirs and rivers under “serious stress”.
Householders are already suffering higher water bills, especially in parts of the country at risk of drought. In some parts of southern England where meters are fitted, annual bills have increased by hundreds of pounds.
Ministers have ordered nine of the 24 regional water companies in England and Wales to consider compulsory metering in all the homes they serve. Read on and comment » | Tim Ross, Political Correspondent | Friday, August 09, 2013
