Story by Rory Poulter

Thames Water is requiring homes across the borough to have water meters fitted amid concerns the area faces another heatwave this week.

Teams of workmen are installing the meters – street by street – under a policy that critics complain amounts to 'rationing by price'

The point of requiring households to have a meter is part of a wider effort to effectively force households to cut back on water use from an average of 145 litres per person per day to 110 by 2050.

Generally, water meters will see large families paying more for supplies, while older people living in large properties on their own or in a couple will pay less. People watering large gardens or with swimming pools also pay more.

In a letter to residents, Thames Water say people have no choice about having a meter installed.

The letter reads: "Back in 2007 the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that our area is one of serious water stress.

"As your water supplier, this means we must have a plan to manage the demand for water. Our plans include choosing to install compulsory water meters, which means we have the legal powers to do so under the Water Act 1991."

The company says the meters are 'free', however cost of installing meters is passed on to all customers through what amounts to a levy on bills.

The mass installation of meters comes at a time that Thames Water and other privatised water companies are under fire for failing to reduce leaks from the mains and the same time as siphoning of millions of pounds to shareholders, many of them overseas.

Thames Water supplies 2.6 billion litres of water a day, however it loses around almost a quarter of this - 624 million litres – through leaks in the pipes.

Hosepipe bans were imposed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight last week, with Kent and Sussex due to follow on Friday, and much of southwest Wales on August 19.

Thames Water does not currently have a hosepipe ban in place, however the Environment Secretary, George Eustice, came out in favour of the controls over the weekend.

The Richmond MP, Sarah Olney, has called on residents to make a voluntary decision not to use tap water on their gardens, pending any formal announcement of a legal ban.

She said: "We do not yet have a hosepipe ban in this area, but in order to help prevent one, please do not water your lawn with tap water."

However, both the MP and Richmond Borough Council have urged residents to look after street trees by, if possible, giving them a bucket of water either early in the morning or the evening.

The MP said: "Young trees do need regular watering, though, so if any trees have been planted in public areas near your house please do give them a bucket or two of water if you can.

"You can even use'grey water' - tap water you have washed dishes or bathed in - to water trees and plants.'

She suggested people can collect their own shower water, adding: "A good tip I heard today is to stand in a plastic tub trug or other container when showering to collect the runoff water for garden use - being careful to use a non-slip mat under it!"

Ms Olney suggest seeking advice from the Royal Horticultural Society's on using grey water in the garden. See here https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/gardening-in-a-changing-world/water-use-in-gardens/using-grey-water#:~:text=Plants%20can%20be%20watered%20with,such%20as%20soap%20and%20detergent

Richmond Council has stepped up its own watering scheme for 1,000 young trees in the area, but it is also asking for help from residents. Details of what to do can be found here - https://www.richmond.gov.uk/tree_planting_and_watering