Water UK, the body which represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level, has stated its support for Environment Minister Phil Woolas advice to customers who pay an unmeasured water bill to check if they would benefit from having a water meter fitted.

Last month Ofwat announced that average water bills in England and Wales would rise by 1.5% plus inflation (just under 6% in all) with effect from April. In comparison with other bills, energy for example, this a modest rise - but in an economic downturn low-income households tend to suffer most and the impact is harder if the prices of essentials are rising.

Water UK shares the Minister's view that households on unmeasured bills would be well-advised to speak to their water company to see if they would benefit from having a meter fitted. This is more likely if they are one-person or two-person households or they are light users.

The association also believes that the Government’s new water strategy “Future Water” maps out a paced and positive direction for a sustainable industry and can help hard-pressed customers by building on the achievements of price regulation.  According to Water UK the industry is already exploring different payment schemes and tariffs and will play its full part in the government’s review of metering and charging.