Water meters ‘must be put in every home’

WATER meters should be compulsory in almost every household, an environmental expert has said.

Professor Jim Hall, from the University of Oxford, says compulsory meters must be considered to tackle the water crisis which almost resulted in hosepipe bans during the summer drought.

The meters are not necessary in wetter, less-populated parts of England and Wales, he said, but could significantly cut demand in London and the South East.

Currently, fewer than half of households have water meters, which record water usage and charge people for how much they get through. The devices are controversial, as large families can end up paying more than those with traditional water rates.

Professor Hall said: ‘Compulsory water meters for a large part of the country is an option we should be considering, but regulators are reluctant.’

The National Infrastructure Commission wants households to cut water use from 141 litres per person per day to 118 litres.