The Chartered Institution of Water and Environment Management (CIWEM) has welcomed the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee’s report on the Water White Paper, which lacks any targets to increase levels of water metering.
The Committee’s report advised that the Government take on board the level of ambition suggested in the Walker Review (2009) of 80 per cent metering coverage by 2020.
CIWEM was particularly alarmed by the White Paper’s proclamation: “water is relatively cheap compared to many other household bills, and we want it to stay that way”. It has asked how water can be valued and not taken for granted when the price paid for water does not reflect its true value.
CIWEM believes the fairest way to ensure this is to establish widespread metering allied to flexible and social tariffs. Paying for water used is not only the fairest way to pay for water, it is also the only way to build the clear picture of patterns of water consumption which will be needed to move forward sustainably and to ensure that water is affordable for all in the long term.
CIWEM is also pleased to see the Committee calling for more urgency in the reform of the abstraction regime and the encouragement of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).
CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves OBE, says:
“The Water White Paper misses an opportunity to promote the retention of affordable water for all who use water wisely and to charge those who use high quantities higher prices than they now face. It is naïve to assume that people who use excessive amounts of water will change their behaviour to the degree needed through anything but higher prices.”
On rainwater harvesting, the EFRA report recommends that Defra take more active steps to promote rainwater harvesting and water recycling and seek to incorporate incentives of requirements for their inclusion in the design of new developments. CIWEM fully supports that view:
“...whilst much of the white paper necessarily focuses on the existing water industry and water supply systems, it is hard to believe that a document on sustainable water resources fails to mention rainwater harvesting or water recycling and re-use,” it said in its response.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has also called for universal water metering, as well as advocating increased interconnectivity between water companies.
Deputy Chair of ICE water panel, Phill Mills, said:
“Further debate on the issue of water metering is welcome and much needed. If we are to tackle the UK’s water security we need prompt, decisive action and universal metering has to form part of the solution. Metering requires a tariff structure that reflects the difference between essential and discretionary water use and must include social tariffs which support those who are less able to pay their bills.
“But it’s not just about managing demand for water. Supply solutions such as increased interconnection between water companies must also form part of the solution.”
Water UK, the water company industry body, said that the report was right to highlight the areas of reform and innovation.
Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive of Water UK, said of the report:
“Reform and innovation, along with quality and service, have long been the drivers of the water industry. Water is one of our greatest resources, yet it is often undervalued. It is imperative that we reform the relationship we have with water and harness innovation.
“The Select Committee’s recommendations are timely and Water UK looks forward to continuing its work with the government and with regulators to bring about effective change which benefits customers and investors.”
Water UK has welcomed especially the Committee’s recommendation to provide even greater and timelier support to those customers on means-tested benefits, and calls for water companies to be allowed access to that information.
It fully supports reform to create an Anglo-Scottish water retail market, which will give choice to all business customers. However, it warns that the timescale for implementation should be made achievable.
Water UK said that it recognised the Committee’s concerns over the speed of abstraction reform but warned that “reforming the planning process is complex and will take time. The emphasis should be on getting the reform right, rather than imposing artificial timescales.”
It supports rainwater recycling, “provided that appropriate and robust measures are taken to ensure that public health continues to be protected.”
Along with CIWEM, Water UK is looking forward to the imminent publication of the Draft Water Bill.