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Water efficiency saves 'a mugful' Water efficiency saves 'a mugful'
(about 19 hours later)
The water industry's efforts to promote water efficiency have conserved just a mugful of water per day per customer, according to a think-tank.The water industry's efforts to promote water efficiency have conserved just a mugful of water per day per customer, according to a think-tank.
The Institute for Public Policy Research says tougher measures are needed, such as more water meters.The Institute for Public Policy Research says tougher measures are needed, such as more water meters.
It also wants stringent targets set for improving household water usage.It also wants stringent targets set for improving household water usage.
But water companies says targets would be hard to define, and that an extension of water metering would be excessively expensive. But water companies say targets would be hard to define, and that an extension of water metering would be excessively expensive.
The IPPR is calling for water companies to persuade their customers to replace inefficient toilets, showers and other appliances, and make better use of rainwater for gardening.The IPPR is calling for water companies to persuade their customers to replace inefficient toilets, showers and other appliances, and make better use of rainwater for gardening.
Its also wants grants to be made available to families on low incomes.Its also wants grants to be made available to families on low incomes.
Louise Every, research fellow of the IPPR said: "We certainly recommend that water metering should be extended particularly in water-stressed areas.Louise Every, research fellow of the IPPR said: "We certainly recommend that water metering should be extended particularly in water-stressed areas.
"It is quite expensive rolling out metering. The company pays for the meter....so it would make sense to really focus efforts where it's most needed.""It is quite expensive rolling out metering. The company pays for the meter....so it would make sense to really focus efforts where it's most needed."
Ms Every also said that customers were "still very aware" of having a "role to play" in conserving water.Ms Every also said that customers were "still very aware" of having a "role to play" in conserving water.
A report by the London Assembly has recently said that water companies should be fined more often to force them to reduce leaks.A report by the London Assembly has recently said that water companies should be fined more often to force them to reduce leaks.