Making the news today....

[sime42]

38 minutes ago, Honda said:

All homes should be on water meters. If electricity was supplied unmetered then we would need to build dozens more power stations.  

Completely agree. It's crazy that people can use or abuse as much water as they like.

The water companies should themselves be on meters as well, so as to be more accountable for their leaks and losses.

[Johnsond]

41 minutes ago, sime42 said:

Completely agree. It's crazy that people can use or abuse as much water as they like.

The water companies should themselves be on meters as well, so as to be more accountable for their leaks and losses.

The current madness you see regards energy prices being hiked would be exactly the same with water meters if implemented. Be careful what you wish for, essential services such as water being an even more profitable business than it already is  ( masquerading under environmental credentials) for companies that only has one driving force ie profit is a dangerous road to go down. As was the case throughout the last couple of years of stupidity a targeted sensible approach and educating people has to worth a try rather than sledgehammer nanny state approach. 

Edited August 13, 2022 by Johnsond

[Commando]

2 hours ago, Johnsond said:

The current madness you see regards energy prices being hiked would be exactly the same with water meters if implemented. Be careful what you wish for, essential services such as water being an even more profitable business than it already is  ( masquerading under environmental credentials) for companies that only has one driving force ie profit is a dangerous road to go down. As was the case throughout the last couple of years of stupidity a targeted sensible approach and educating people has to worth a try rather than sledgehammer nanny state approach. 

Yep fair point, however it’s currently an unfair field where most are metered and some aren’t, surely it should be “one in, all in” and level it up. Agree re leaks, the water companies should have been given a timeframe to repair/replace the infrastructure following privatisation.. Surely the Gov. could still impose such a requirement or penalise them? Lets face it water is a strategic requirement..

[sime42]

An

35 minutes ago, Commando said:

Yep fair point, however it’s currently an unfair field where most are metered and some aren’t, surely it should be “one in, all in” and level it up. Agree re leaks, the water companies should have been given a timeframe to repair/replace the infrastructure following privatisation.. Surely the Gov. could still impose such a requirement or penalise them? Lets face it water is a strategic requirement..

An argument for the nationalisation of water surely, as it's an essential service / critical infrastructure. (Plus the other essential services for.that matter. We probably wouldn't be in quite such a mess with energy prices if it was under state control. But that's a whole other can of worms).

 

Surely the Gov. could and should penalise the water companies for wastage, and limit their fat incomes. But they don't. As we're seeing, they don't like standing in the way of huge profits for big business.

 

We actually save money by being on a meter, that's why we requested to go on to one. It certainly makes you very aware and careful with what you use.

 

[openspaceman]

51 minutes ago, Commando said:

Lets face it water is a strategic requirement..

As are all the utilities which is why I do not like them being owned by foreign companies, their privatisation should be regulated with that in mind

[openspaceman]

2 minutes ago, sime42 said:

We probably wouldn't be in quite such a mess with energy prices if it was under state control. But that's a whole other can of worms).

I doubt that as the state is very profligate with our money and no reason to believe anyone in government was looking to the future when the effluent from fossil fuels was ignored.

 

We have now seen our dependence on foreign owned resources is becoming an economic disaster, mostly caused by using the american model of share ownership causing the demise of home industries.

[trigger_andy]

14 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

I doubt that as the state is very profligate with our money and no reason to believe anyone in government was looking to the future when the effluent from fossil fuels was ignored.

 

We have now seen our dependence on foreign owned resources is becoming an economic disaster, mostly caused by using the american model of share ownership causing the demise of home industries.

Oil & Gas and Electricity is basically under state control in Norway and they have not had their prices capped. Prices for both are through the roof. If fact Sweden is buying cheap electricity in the North of Norway and selling it for a vast profit to the South of Norway.

 

Both Gas and Electricity is sold from Norway to Europe and the Norwegian people are paying a significant price for both now.

 

Those that believe the State would step in and cap the prices are naïve in the extreme. The state offered a measly 5p off of Fuel Duty  when fuel prices where at their peak when they could have gone significantly further. 

 

 

[topchippyles]

4 hours ago, Johnsond said:

The current madness you see regards energy prices being hiked would be exactly the same with water meters if implemented. Be careful what you wish for, essential services such as water being an even more profitable business than it already is  ( masquerading under environmental credentials) for companies that only has one driving force ie profit is a dangerous road to go down. As was the case throughout the last couple of years of stupidity a targeted sensible approach and educating people has to worth a try rather than sledgehammer nanny state approach. 

We are good at recycling in wales dave 🤭

 

 

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by topchippyles

[devon TWiG]

7 hours ago, sime42 said:

An

An argument for the nationalisation of water surely, as it's an essential service / critical infrastructure. (Plus the other essential services for.that matter. We probably wouldn't be in quite such a mess with energy prices if it was under state control. But that's a whole other can of worms).

 

Surely the Gov. could and should penalise the water companies for wastage, and limit their fat incomes. But they don't. As we're seeing, they don't like standing in the way of huge profits for big business.

 

We actually save money by being on a meter, that's why we requested to go on to one. It certainly makes you very aware and careful with what you use.

 

supply of water is the cheap bit ,,,water companies take our sewage away and treat it ..that is what costs the most !!

[sime42]

56 minutes ago, devon TWiG said:

supply of water is the cheap bit ,,,water companies take our sewage away and treat it ..that is what costs the most !!

Where there's muck there's money!

 

They're meant to treat it, but sometimes just dump it out as is instead.