Meters could reduce water bills

Fiona Pethick, periodic review project manger at Ofwat, has suggested that switching to a metered supply could save customers money.

14:24 09 December 2004

Fiona Pethick, periodic review project manger at water regulator Ofwat, has suggested that switching to a metered supply could save customers money.

Her comments come after Ofwat agreed to price rises which equate to increase of 18 per cent in the average household bill over five years. The water companies asked for more in order to fund the investment in infrastructure throughout England and Wales.

Ms Pethick also said that should everyone switch to a metered supply the water companies may come back asking for another rise in prices.

Speaking to BBC Two's 'Working Lunch', Ms Pethick said: "It is assumed that about 300,000 customers a year will switch from unmeasured to metered consumption across the country in the next five years.

"If more customers than that switch then it may be that for some companies they would have to come back to us and say we are not getting enough revenue from our customers and charges may need to be revised."

Despite the advertised reduction in water bills Ms Pethick said: "Not everyone would gain. Some people would find that their bills would increase.

"People who are interested in switching to a meter should get in touch with their local company."