LETTER: Who pays when water demand exceeds supply?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Ms Liz Reason and
Mr Stephen Andrews
Sir: Three years ago, we built an environmentally friendly house. We wanted to make it not only energy efficient but also water-efficient.
We therefore approached Thames Water for details of water-efficient appliances. In spite of several attempts, none were forthcoming.
We are now being bombarded with homilies about how to conserve water because we have entered drought conditions. Strange, isn't it, how information about water-demand management is only available when the water supply is in crisis? Could this be anything do to with the fact that the regulation of water companies links their profits to the volumes they sell? Historically, all of the utilities have concentrated on increasing supplies, even when it is more costly than reducing or managing demand. No doubt, we will soon witness the water companies using the present crisis as evidence for the need for them to build more reservoirs.
Is it naive to hope for a change of policy from the companies, the regulator and the Government? Or, once it has rained, will all this be forgotten - until the next crisis?
Yours faithfully,
Liz Reason
Stephen Andrews
Charlbury,
Oxfordshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments