I agree Stuart.
However, much like the recent news regarding an average £60 increase on annual car insurance premiums to cover the costs associated with incidents involving uninsured drivers, it does beg the question: why are the rest of us (as well as the providers of this and other services, and their associates) bearing the cost of this? In truth, the costs are almost ALWAYS passed back to (unsuspecting), paying consumers.
While water is, of course, a necessity, if there are individuals out there that really cannot pay, of course we need to help them. No question about that. End of debate.
My concern is, how true is their 'inability to pay'? I bet many have the usual modern day mod-cons, yet they can't pay for their water?
Personally, I suspect that when you put aside the genuine cases, there are quite a few that simply play the system (we are all aware of this in other areas) and waste this valuable resource too.
While this may prove very controversial for many, it does raise an important issue.
I find it very hard to grasp that anybody living in the UK today does not have - or can find - the ability to pay for such an essential commodity as water. It may not be cheap. Neither is treating it, or maintaining the huge hidden network supplying our water and taking and treating unwanted water waste. It's certainly not free either.
In addition, metering (even if it proves more expensive) should be a pre-requisite. I have neighbours and relatives that waste water like it's their right to. It's not.
We can all benefit and certainly start by thinking a bit more about what is best for all, not just the (selfish) individual. Metering water should encourage resourcefulness and why should it not be paid for through volume used? Most other services are billed this way.
- and why should ordinary people suffer with higher water bills as a result of non-payers?

Mark E
Without Prejudice