NEWS RELEASE
Date: 20 November 2006
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Government commits to consultation on water metering in areas of serious water stress
A proposal by the Water Saving Group to give the green light to water metering, where that is the best way of saving water in areas of serious water stress, has been given the Government's go-ahead for public consultation Environment Minister Ian Pearson confirmed today.
The Water Saving Group is chaired by Ian Pearson and its members include Philip Fletcher of Ofwat, Barbara Young of the Environment Agency, Yve Buckland of the Consumer Council for Water, and Pamela Taylor of Water UK , as well as representatives from Waterwise and Communities and Local Government.
The consultation on metering will take place early next year. The focus of the Group's proposals is making water companies in areas of serious water stress consider compulsory meters alongside other measures as part of a long-term plan for water resources.
Ian Pearson emphasised that this consultation would not propose national compulsory water metering, and that metering was not an alternative to a tough approach on reducing leakage.
He said:
"Increasing the coverage of water metering in areas of serious water stress must get proper consideration by the water companies, because of the water savings it will deliver. The Water Saving Group's proposals are by far the most sensible way forward because they ensure the relevant companies will incorporate metering in their draft 25 year resource management plans, which will be subject to full consultation .
"Of course, metering is not a solution in itself, and in areas where water is in short supply companies need to use the full range of measures including tackling leakage, encouraging water efficiency, and bringing on new supplies, and we must take into account any impacts on customers bills."
The Water Saving Group's suggestion is that the process for seeking permission to compulsorily meter be embedded in water companies' 25-year resource management plans if their area is identified as seriously water stressed. The draft plans for these areas would need to include a full assessment of the cost-effectiveness of compulsory metering, taking into account sustainability, water supply and demand, costs, and the effects on customers.
The draft plans will be subject to full public consultation and will give consumers more access to information and more input into decision-making than ever before.
After consultation, it would then be for each company to decide whether or not to include a programme for introducing compulsory water metering in its final plan. These proposals would not force any water company to meter anyone, nor would they end the free meter option. However, if the case for metering is not sufficiently strong then Ministers may direct the removal of metering proposals from the final plan.
Water metering in this country already stands at around 28%, and is growing by 2% a year on a voluntary basis. The water savings made from metering are around 10% for a typical household. Recently the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee recommended making it easier for water companies in water stressed areas to impose compulsory metering.
As part of its work for the Water Saving Group, the Environment Agency is finalising work on the methodology to identify areas of serious water stress. The proposed methodology will also be subject to public consultation.
There is no suggestion that metering, or any other efficiency measure, should somehow compensate for poor performance on leakage targets for the water companies. In 1997 the Government required Ofwat to establish and enforce economic leakage targets. When it published its report on Security of Supply last week, Ofwat was categorical that it will take enforcement action, as it did against Thames Water earlier this year, if a company persistently fails its leakage targets.
Notes to editors
1. The high level Water Saving Group meets every six months to review progress on what has been delivered against its action plan and discuss new initiatives.
2. Between each meeting officials from all the organisations represented at the WSG work together to carry forward the actions agreed at the high level meeting.
3. To contact the organisations represented on the Water Saving Group:
Ofwat: Peter Mandich 0121 625 1442
Environment Agency: Jo Fox 020 7863 8635, 07919 548233
Waterwise: Jacob Tompkins 07793 709567
DCLG: Simon Hailes 020 7944 4299
Water UK: Barrie Clarke 020 7344 1804, pager 07623 960573
CCWater: Andrew Marsh 0121 345 1005, 07778 160803
4 Water companies currently prepare water resource plans as part of the process of price setting, but these plans are not subject to public scrutiny. Government intends, in April 2007, to place the companies under a duty to produce and consult upon water resource management plans. Ministers will be able to direct the content of plans. Draft plans will be consulted upon in 2008 and finalised in 2009. Ministers can require public hearings on the draft plans, and can direct changes before they are published in final form.
5. For more information visit: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/conserve/wsg/index.htm
End
Public enquiries: 08459 335577
News releases available on our website:
www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
Page published: 20 November 2006