Isn't it wonderful how countries in the Middle-East can pump oil across thousands of miles of desert and the Russians can transfer gas along thousands of miles of pipeline.

We even managed to lay a fuel pipeline ourselves, from here to France, although that was way back in 1944 and we had a little help from the Americans.

So why is it so difficult in 2006 for water companies to pump water from one county to another?

I'll tell you why. It's because they're all private companies and private companies only buy and sell water. However, if they don't buy any but only sell what falls freely from the sky, it's all profit and less expenditure.

That's why they're loath to spend money on having water pumped across the county border.

It's also why they're loath to spend a few of their millions on building new reservoirs.

Anything which makes a dent in their profit margins would not go down well with the shareholders. It seems the right of the British people to have sufficient water to drink, bathe in, flush the toilet and generally keep a hygienic way of life, is no longer a priority.

However, since there's no shortage of water in Scotland, Wales and the north of England, nor even in Cornwall, Devon and Hampshire, there's no reason we in the South-East should have to cut down or go without.

During the heat wave of 1976, our nationalised water board had no problems but, ever since 1987 when the Thatcher government sold off all our utilities, we've had nothing but continuous price increases and less service.

So far, the water companies have managed to convince OFWAT, the Environment Agency and several MPs that there is a serious water shortage but while they may be able to fool some of the people some of the time, they cannot fool all the people all the time.

-Bob Luckhurst, Sompting, Lancing