Water meters for Worthing 'not simple'

Southern Water's public relations manager Mike James says a government consultation, which proposes water metering in areas affected by serious water shortages such as Sussex, is not an "open and shut scenario".

He said: "What we're saying is it should consider all different pieces of the jigsaw.

"It is not a simple question of us being for or against.

"It is one of the things to be considered along with a whole range of other things."

Mr James added: "The introduction of metering '“ the only way in which customers are in control of what they pay for water '“ usually leads to a reduction in use of water of about 10 per cent but our strategy is not to depend upon metering alone to ensure that future demand is met."

Mr James believes Southern Water should be made a consultant at the planning stage of any large-scale residential proposal in order to ensure it can provide the water supply and sewage services.

His views come as the South East Regional Assembly has called on water companies to ask the public whether compulsory water metering in homes should be allowed to help reduce water use.

Around a third of all properties in Worthing, approximately 42,000, have water meters.