| British householders need not fear for scarce and | | | | sewerage networks from 2010 to 2015. The most |
| expensive mains water if they use rainwater | | | | severely affected will be the more than 14 million |
| collected off their own roofs. | | | | dwellings in England and Wales without a water |
| Millions of householders in Britain could be looking at | | | | meter. More than half a million unmetered South |
| increases in their water bills of up to a third over the | | | | West Water customers can expect bills to rise by 29 |
| next five years after the industry regulator, Ofwat, | | | | per cent from £723 now to £935 by |
| made rulings on 26th November 2009 on water | | | | 2015. Its 1.1 million customers with meters face a rise |
| prices for the water companies to charge. This all | | | | of only 1 per cent, to an average of £407. |
| reflects the emphasis that the UK government is | | | | The UK consumer has become used to plentiful and |
| now giving to reducing mains water consumption. | | | | inexpensive water. It's a shock to be faced with |
| There are several ways that this reduction can be | | | | higher water bills and the prospect of using water |
| achieved: changing behaviour, installing water meters | | | | efficient appliances. Encouraging the use of rainwater |
| across the country, using water-efficient appliances | | | | mitigates this shock. 50% of the water we currently |
| and encouraging rainwater harvesting. | | | | use in and out of the home does not need to be of |
| These latest Ofwat rulings clearly encourage the | | | | drinking quality. In fact over 30% goes straight down |
| take-up of water meters which can reduce water | | | | the toilet. For everything that does not need mains |
| consumption by 5 to 10%. Currently only 33% of | | | | water, it is sensible to store and use rainwater off |
| households have meters. so millions of consumers | | | | your own roof. |
| without meters could see their bills rise by an | | | | It is not hard to install a rainwater harvesting system. |
| average of 5 per cent from £367 to | | | | Most households can be adequately served by tanks |
| £385 by 2015 while the 10 million metered | | | | ranging in size from 1500 to 6500. They should be |
| households will see their bills frozen at an average | | | | stored underground to keep the water cool and |
| £311. | | | | fresh and the tank out of view. The rainwater is |
| Details of price rises were contained in Ofwat's | | | | filtered before entering the tank and a pump takes |
| five-yearly price review which set the amount the 22 | | | | the water to where it is needed inside and outside |
| water companies in England and Wales can charge | | | | the home. |
| consumers and spend on upgrades to their pipe and | | | | |