Ministers are facing calls to force householders in Sussex to have water meters installed.

The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) wants the Government to consult with the public on replacing standing charges with a bill calculate according how much water they use.

SEERA said metering could significantly reduce water use and protect the South East from shortages due to climate change and growing demand.

Water meters, which reduce consumption by 10 per cent, have been fitted in all new homes since 1990 but can only be installed compulsorily in older homes when there is a change of occupant.

This means 72 per cent of homes in England and Wales do not have meters. The assembly said that this, coupled with inefficient appliances, means that a great deal of water is wasted.

Chairman Keith Mitchell said: "The assembly believes metering is the fairest way to charge for water, similar to gas and electricity, paying for what you use, and we think it's time the public were consulted on their use.

"As a general rule, single occupants and couples or families living in large houses with high rateable values tend to save by having a water meter installed. We have also stressed the need for a variable tariff to be explored to protect vulnerable customers who may have to pay more. Failure to change people's wasteful ways with water could have a serious impact on the South East and water metering is a fairer and more effective way to do it."

Norman Baker, MP for Lewes and former Lib Dem spokesman on the environment, has long campaigned for compulsory metering.

He said: "I am delighted this is now becoming more and more the accepted view of how we have to go forward.

"It makes no sense in light of water shortages and climate change to charge people for water irrespective of how much they use. There must be an incentive to use less. You wouldn't charge for electricity on a flat rate, regardless of how much you use, so why charge for water on that basis?"

Joyce Edmond-Smith, chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council's sustainability commission, has had a meter for four years.

She said: "I agree they should be compulsory on condition that there are adequate arrangements for people with large families and people with particular needs, like illnesses."

South East Water welcomed the Defra proposal.

David Shore, operations director at South East Water said: "We we believe metering has a role to play in our overall water resources plan.

"We also hope this consultation will prompt a wide-ranging debate from our customers and stakeholders, as metering and the role it plays in managing water supplies will affect both existing and future customers."

It would take years to install meters in all homes.

A Southern Water spokeswoman said: "We welcome the proposal to consider compulsory water metering in areas of serious water stress but this is just one of the options which should be considered to secure future water supplies.

"Southern Water, for example, is planning to increase the resilience of its water supply system by making more use of winter river flows ñ by enlarging Bewl Water Reservoir to stock more water. "We are also working with other companies to provide new reservoirs in the South East."

There is a three-month waiting list for a meter.

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