It may be that new policies and mechanisms metered by 2016 if we are to ensure that
are required to ensure vulnerable households there will be enough water for both residents
are protected adequately - though paying by and the environment.
volume may well reduce water affordability Critics have argued we have a misplaced
issues for many people. faith in water metering. But when all is said and
But metering should not be seen as a done, we need ways of providing sustainable
stand-alone solution to all our water supply and affordable treated water supplies across
issues – rather it is central to all demand the country as climate change bites. That is
management activities. It creates a better why we will have more to say about the role of
understanding of water use and allows a metering in our new and far-reaching Water
better understanding and management of Resources Strategydue out in December. Our
leakage. It is also a prerequisite to the world is changing and, as key stakeholders
introduction of smarter tariffs. already agree, the ‘use less, pay less’ principle
Our 2006 report, Water Efficiency in the will be crucial in helping us all adapt to it.
South East of England – Retrofitting Existing
Homes, shows that as much as 50 percent of
*Rob Westcott is Water Demand
extra demand from new homes planned for
Management Policy Manager at the
the south east could be met by a combination
Environment Agency.
of compulsory metering and making existing
housing more water efficient. Our work with
Defra and the Department for Communities
For further information
and Local Government, Towards Water
about the Environment Agency’s role in
Neutrality in the Thames Gateway, also shows
managing water resources in England and
that 70 percent of the 160,000 new homes
Wales, visit www.environment-
planned for the area would need to be
agency.gov.uk/savewater
WEM May 2008 27
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