30/09/09
The Water UK metering symposium provided a lively and timely debate around one of the hottest policy issues.
Anna Walker captivated the audience with thoughts on her emerging final review. Anne McIntosh MP said the Conservative Party was still in 'listening mode', though emphasising its preference for avoiding compulsory metering.
The industry's company-specific approach to metering and tariffs was presented by Jean Spencer (Anglian).
Delegates agreed that strong leadership was needed if metering was to proceed on anything other than strictly economic grounds.
There is emerging consensus that it is not possible to design tariffs that tackle both water efficiency and affordability – any scheme would result in winners and losers.
Links to the energy sector, particularly around smart metering, were also explored.
Contact: Bruce Horton
