Water bills: Lib Dems renew call for universal metering

Commenting on the announcement by OFWAT that water bills will rise by an average of 13% over the next 5 years, Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

"Water is an essential commodity and huge price hikes are bound to hit the poorest hardest. It is good news for consumers that OFWAT has not caved in to pressure from the water companies and put prices up by the requested 29%.

"But we must now have reassurances from water companies that they will not use this as an excuse to cut back on vital environmental works.

"The ideal must surely be a system that is good for consumers and good for the environment.

"The only realistic solution is universal water metering, which keeps bills down by curbing consumption and obviating the need for new infrastructure.

"The sooner Ministers acknowledge this the better for everyone."