The APPWG report acknowledges that there are numerous challenges in the water sector including affordability of bills, water saving and efficiency, flooding, and the current regulatory system, and stresses that consumers should be the focal point when possible solutions are considered.
The APPWG highlights the importance of universal metering combined with new tariff systems, to support vulnerable customers.
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The Consumer Council for Water agrees that metering is the fairest way for customers to pay for their water, but points out that there will be losers as well as winners in the switch to metering.
The report also calls for the Consumer Council for Water to have a greater role in the price setting process to further protect the interests of consumers.
Tony Smith, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, said: "It is encouraging that consumers' concerns were a focal point in putting forward these recommendations.
"However, we are concerned that there will be winners as well as losers in the move towards universal metering, and a robust safety net needs to be in place to protect poor customers before metering is introduced on a wider scale.
"Consumers' trust in the water industry needs to be restored after years of above inflation price increases. Consumers need to be put back at the heart of the sector, and quickly."
(CD/JM)
