1 March 2006: Water Scarcity Status Makes Sense Print

Waterwise strongly welcomes the Government’s decision to grant Water Scarcity Status to Folkstone and Dover Water Services Ltd (FDWS). This is a pragmatic and timely decision which means that FDWS can progressively introduce water meters for all of its customers.


'Climate change, population shift and increasing consumption of water per head (up 1% every year since 1930) mean that parts of the UK are simply running out of water. Enabling water companies to meter customers in areas with water resource problems is an excellent approach to dealing with water shortages,' says Jacob Tompkins, Director of Waterwise.


The average consumption per person per day in the UK is 150L, but other parts of Europe consume only 100L: It is essential that the UK cuts down on the waste of water. Today’s decision along with the actions being taken by water companies, regulators, and Government in Defra's new Water Saving Group, are starting to tackle this issue.


Wide-scale metering can be good for the environment, good for water supplies and good for customers. Wide-scale metering allows companies to develop variable tariffs which can protect vulnerable customers whilst enabling water wastage to be discouraged.

ENDS


Waterwise – UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK within 5 years, and to building an evidence base for large-scale water efficiency. Waterwise is an independent not-for-profit organization that receives core funding from the UK water industry. Waterwise is part of Defra's Water Saving Group.

Contact: Joanne Zygmunt 0207 344 1836

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