Manx Utilities says its consideration of installing water meters in homes is about reducing water usage, not making money.
It has published an FAQ response on its website after its recently published pricing strategy spooked islanders.
The authority is currently finalising its Water Resources Management Plan and says that the island has “adequate water stocks to cope with an extreme drought event but due to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and population growth, this may not be the case in the future”.
As such, it is considering a range of measures to ensure the island has enough water going forward without building a new reservoir or desalination plants.
It said: “Whilst education and media campaigns do help to reduce water use, linking the cost of water to the amount used has been found to be effective in reducing the amount of water people use.
“This is usually done through the installation of water meters, and this has proven to be successful in those locations previously mentioned and hence why we are now considering this course of action.”
Pay More?
The MUA says that if it was to introduce water meters, those who use the most water would pay the most, while some people could pay less than they currently do in water rates.
It said: “It is likely that, following the installation of water meters, some customers would pay more and some would pay less for their water, but it could be a fairer system than relying on the rateable value of a property.
“There would however be a financial incentive and opportunity for everyone to use less water. Any charge for water through usage would replace the charges made through rates.”
It also stressed that no decision has been made and said that a “number of studies need to be completed in order for us to conclude that the installation of water meters is definitely part of the solution”.
The change would also likely have to go to Tynwald before meters could be introduced.
You can read the full FAQ here.
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