CATEGORY - WATER

I think until now I'd stuck this under Utilities. It's bigger than washing your car of a Sunday. So here's a dedicated category.

To kick off:

ARTICLES

Nature - Water special

Indy - Forget carbon: you should be checking your water footprint

Indy - The big turn off: Could you drink, bathe and clean using just 20 litres a day? - usual stuff, but with some interesting stats

Guardian - What's in your tap water? - When it comes to a fairly fundamental aspect of what keeps me & mine ticking, I don't really feel a healthy interest (or, if you prefer, 'worrying') constitutes an unreasonable notion, and certainly a worthy, if not more necessary action , rather than diversion versus the latest chatterati cause-mongering. But it is true that I do find myself 'worrying' a lot, and more often than not it is down to the media. So rack up another rating point. Now, where the heck do I find out what is in my Ross-on-Wye Springs via the blue tap? That's the trouble with just turning something on and leaving it open. There can be a lot wasted as a consequence.

Gaurdian - Forecast: dry, becoming drier -

Nature - Hydrology: India running on empty - Groundwater in northwestern India is being depleted at an unsustainable rate, which could lead to severe water shortages and reduced agricultural productivity. The reduction in groundwater cannot be attributed to natural climate variability, but is probably caused by excessive consumption from irrigation and other human uses. Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India -

I have accepted that 'we' are not helping nature (as in Mother, and trying to do what I can to help/mitigate), and nature is certainly not helping the climate. However, I think this highlights why we need to look across all aspects 'man's' endeavours before hanging all our hopes on 'solving' climate change with certain high-profile, low enviROI quick fixes. Especially to the exclusion (though climate does play a major role) of other pretty hefty aspects, water being high on the list.

BBC - India's unsustainable lesson -

WATER METERING

I think this deserves it's own slot, too. I do have a few references already, coinciding with our meter installation, but this will serve for other archiving.

Telegraph - NEW - Hang on Boris: who would be penalised by compulsory water meters? - Not the best of starts, mind.

INFORMATION

waterfootprint.org
DirectGov - Saving water in the garden

SUPPLIERS

freewateruk.co.uk -

Lovely Meter, Water Aid

Just got our latest water bill.

Actually, a refund of £166!

Now, some of that may well be down to the DD being too high, but when our water meter was installed, it was even then lowered from what it had been, as it was based on the house rateable value

This all might change as newly-teenage sons discover girls and soap, but for now I am basking in both eco and fiscal glory.

CATEGORY - Metering

Usage based charges. What could be fairer? Or better to help reduce consumption?

I have dabbled in the past (check the labels below), but feel this needs be given its own section... and sub-sections.

ELECTRIC

Guardian - Pay as you glow? - A vexed issue, evidently. And yet again, something superficially simple seems more convoluted between consumer, corporations and those who would govern.

Guardian - Shock tactics

GAS

WATER

Peter the Meter

Just got our water rates advice: almost £700!!

Hence I am on a mission. So this will be an ongoing post, updated at intervals as events, dear boys and girls, events... transpire.

First action was to call the customer support line for Welsh Water.

Couldn't have been simpler. I asked for a water meter. The nice girl ignored that completely and took me through an 'assessment'. Number of people, washing machine, outdoor tap... no swimming pool, etc. No mention that slug 'n slug (the twins) currently bathe only with the full moon. And we operate a 'let it mellow' policy with the loos when Mum is out of sniffing range.

The result? Well, it seems my bill could be halved. Halved!!!? Why on earth was this option not mentioned a decade ago? That would be a saving, already, of a few thousand pounds!!!!!

So... when do I get the meter? Don't know. What I am getting... is 'a pack'.

The story unfolds...

14/April/08

... and not with the best of starts:

Times - Consumers shoulder cost of leaky pipes - This does not make encouraging reading, especially as (and I forgot to mention that, as a consequence of getting the pack and making a call), the surveyor turns up on Wednesday to assess the house for conversion! Next...

Times - MPs want water meters in every UK house to conserve water - Older piece, but I just chanced upon it.

16/April/o8

I have taken the risk. The engineer/surveyor turned up and it took, oh, about 30-40 seconds.

We located the outdoor stopcock and swapped a screw cap on a plastic junction box (which I suspect must have been quite new and hence ready and waiting... some may not be so receptive) with a single unit.

The meter then looks up at you. All the usual numbers. Plus a little gizmo in the middle that spins if there is a drip. Hence we ascertained there were no leaks. I guess we are lucky that the distance to the house interior was but a metre, and we are then responsible for all that happens inside. So if there was a leak, we'd know about it.

Now... let's see about the next bill. Gulp....