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Water UK, the body which represents UK water companies at national and EU level, has called for more research to be undertaken into reduced flow devices.
Water customers who delay payment, or do not pay at all, currently add £11 (and rising) to the average water bill. According to Water UK, all available options for reducing this “unnecessary burden” should be explored, including what it described as the inaccurately named “trickle flow” technology, or reduced flow devices.
In its interim report published in June, the independent Walker Review of water charging considered removal of a ban on use of reduced flow devices where customers could pay but refuse to do so.
Water UK said that while it was not in favour of removing the ban at the moment, it supported research into whether, and how, reduced flow could work as an incentive to bill payment and aid to budgeting.
Responding to the Walker Review proposals on the subject of debt, Water UK said:
"The industry is pleased the review recognises household debt as a serious issue for water companies and that legislative changes are needed to enable them to recover money owed and reduce the burden on paying customers (estimated at £11 per annum on every bill).
"The review's approach is supported but it highlights the need to address 'won't pay' customers, by introducing trickle-valves (reduced-flow devices) to reduce supply. This might provide a suitable incentive for these customers to pay. Further research is needed to investigate this option. Water UK agrees that such a measure should only be used after rigorous independent safeguard conditions have been met."
Water UK expressed its surprise that Walker had made little mention of Water Direct, the Department for Work and Pensions third-party deduction scheme, although customers value the facility highly.
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