August 2011
Water UK believes that metering is a fair and sustainable means to charge for water services in England.
Metering makes it easier for customers to understand their water use and to use water wisely. With the right tariff structures, meters could improve affordability and assist in meeting the environmental and social challenges faced by the water sector and the country as a whole.
Currently the majority of customers in England are not charged on a meter. Water UK therefore encourages government to provide a clear and effective policy framework within which water companies in England can manage a transition to metered charging.
This framework should allow companies to take local factors into account when considering the appropriate strategies to employ. It should also ensure protection for low-income and vulnerable customers, through the prompt implementation of measures to allow companies to introduce social tariffs.
The pace of the transition to metering should reflect the local situation for each company, taking account of the water resource position, the current level of metering and the costs and benefits of improving meter technology.
