The Environment Agency has welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State to allow Folkestone & Dover Water to introduce compulsory metering for its customers, but said more meters should be installed across England and Wales to help cut water use and protect the environment.
David King, Director of Water Management at the Environment Agency, said householders needed incentives to save water, and compulsory metering in areas where there were water shortages would help do this. Compulsory metering is particularly important in south east England, where demands are high and the scope for new resources is limited. Dr King said meters this summer would not resolve the impact of the last 15 months of drought in the south east, but would help Folkestone and Dover make best use of the water available. In most of Europe, households pay for the amount of water used, and this is generally seen as fair.
The announcement comes a week after the Environment Agency warned that the south east could face the worst drought in 100 years.
