By: Dr Ronni Edmonds-Brown

Dr Ronni Edmonds-Brown — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:45:47 +0000

Why is paying more beeing suggested as the solution? Surely this is related to good water resource management. Increasing population density in the south east will naturally lead to scarce water resources, for both the customer and river ecology, whereas increasing new build in areas of greater water resources wont take such a hit. This requires strategic thinking at high political levels. Some research suggesting that metering is not the solution either, as people start off being careful then increase usage back to previous levels. Constant push on public awareness / education has been successful during drought periods (Veolia’s data) but needs to be continuous.
I really dont see how extra payment is going to make a difference to our behaviour or governments insistance on development in the south east. Water companies make a tidy profit after all, so why is extra money needed from the customer – & for what exactly? If going ahead with this need to be specific on where any extra money is going & how the benefits are going to be measured and assessed. Appears to me to be yet another example of taking money for ‘green’ purposes yet no visible benefits to the environment are likely to be seen. River restoration / rehabilitation schemes wont increase available water resources & wont prevent rivers running dry!

By: Dr Ronni Edmonds-Brown

Dr Ronni Edmonds-Brown — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:38:12 +0000

Why is paying more beeing suggested as the solution? Surely this is related to good water resource management. Increasing population density in the south east will naturally lead to scarce water resources,for both the customer and river ecology, whereas increasing new build in areas of greater water resources wont take such a hit. This requires strategic thinking at high political levels. Some research suggesting that metering is not the solution either, as people start off being careful then increase usage back to previous levels. Constant push on public awareness / education has been successful during drought periods (Veolia’s data) but needs to be continuous.
I really dont see how extra payment is going to make a difference to our behaviour or governments insistance on development in the south east. Water companies make a tidy profit after all, so why is extra money needed from the customer – & for what exactly? If going ahead with this need to be specific on where any extra money is going & how the benefits are going to be measured and assessed. Appears to me to be yet another example of taking money for ‘green’ purposes yet no visible benefits to the environment are likely to be seen.

Comments on: "Water, water all around and not a drop to drink"

By: Dr Ronni Edmonds-Brown

By: Dr Ronni Edmonds-Brown