Compulsory water meters

Due to the shortage of water in parts of the south east, a water company has taken the drastic step of issuing all its customers with water meters. Although this will probably mean a bill that is no higher or even less in some cases, it should make consumers think twice before wasting water. Much of the water lost though, is through leakage in the pipes, so the firm should also think about investing in new pipes. People just assume water is free, as it comes out of a tap when we want it - but it is time that consumers realised that the water infrastructure in this country is getting to the end of its useful life and needs replacing - and that costs. Perhaps we should pay more for water - it will make us realise what an asset it truly is.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/water/story/0,,1720719,00.html