Environment Minister Phil Woolas has said small households are paying too much for their water, and are subsidising customers with meters.
Environment Minister Phil Woolas has said small households are paying too much for their water, and are subsidising customers with meters.
Water bills are set to rise by about 6% across England and Wales.
Water bills are set to rise by about 6% across England and Wales.
Water regulator Ofwat says water meters could be a solution for some customers to help them cut costs.
Water regulator Ofwat says water meters could be a solution for some customers to help them cut costs.
The government is to review water supplies and charges, which may mean compulsory meters where water is in scarce supply.
The government is to review water supplies and charges, which may mean compulsory meters where water is in scarce supply.
The minister, Phil Woolas, told the BBC the government wanted to bring in a fairer system.
"Those that don't have meters - if they're in small households, small families - are in effect subsidising the people with meters, and that is something that we are looking to change, so that we can have a fairer system", he said.
The BBC's Sarah Pennells said that there are about two million flats where it would be difficult to install water meters, because it would involve separating a shared water supply.
The BBC's Sarah Pennells said that there are about two million flats where it would be difficult to install water meters, because it would involve separating a shared water supply.
Ofwat says the impending increase, which householders start paying from April, will make the average bill (for water and sewage treatment) £330 a year.
Ofwat says the impending increase, which householders start paying from April, will make the average bill (for water and sewage treatment) £330 a year.
This means a rise of about £18.
This means a rise of about £18.
But the combined bill rise is nearly 8% in some areas. Last year's average price increase was 7%.
But the combined bill rise is nearly 8% in some areas. Last year's average price increase was 7%.
Are you on a water meter? Have your bills decreased since you had it installed? Do you want a water meter but can't get one in your area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
Are you on a water meter? Have your bills decreased since you had it installed? Do you want a water meter but can't get one in your area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
