Pool owners facing extra charges

Pool owners would subsidise more frugal water users

South West Water is in talks with the industry regulator Ofwat to test a new lower rate for so called "essential" water use.

The company wants to try out the new tariff as part of a three-year trial.

The aim is to encourage people to use less water by charging essential usage at a lower rate.

If they are agreed, people who are filling swimming pools would end up subsidising single-pensioner households.

Early stages

A pilot stepped charges scheme has started in Lydd, Kent.

Up until now there has been a simple metered charge of £1.30 per unit by Folkestone and Dover Water Services.

In the new scheme the firm is charging householders 98p a unit for the first 80 cubic metres of water a year, but anything over that amount is charged at £2.20 a unit.

If two people use a typical 314 litres a day under the standard metering system that would cost them £148.

Under the new system the first 80 cubic metres a year would cost £104. The other 34 cubic metres a year would cost them £74, a total of £178.

South West Water said its discussions were in their early stages and would not reveal what quantities "essential" usage would mean.

A company spokesman said the firm hoped to agree its plans in the next few months.

He said: "We are keen to support the development of new tariffs in the water industry by undertaking trials of different tariffs.

"We are currently discussing possible tariffs to trial with Ofwat, our regulator, and working on the arrangements necessary for us to run a trial."