Surge pricing trials are being introduced for customers with smart water meters at 15 companies across the country.
Under the pilot schemes, water costs either change depending on the time of year or become more expensive as customers use more.
Ofwat, the industry regulator, said that the trials, planned for the next five years, would increase prices “when water is scarce” and could potentially be extended to all customers.
The Government is backing a nationwide rollout of smart water meters in an attempt to reduce water consumption, which ministers believe could help prevent hosepipe bans and other water rationing.
Millions in the South East and Yorkshire are facing hosepipe bans this month after heatwaves left vast areas of Britain in drought, with temperatures of up to 32°C expected over the weekend.
During hot weather, households use up to double the amount of water, which risks higher charges under surge pricing.
The average household of four consumes 438 litres of water per day, according to Southern Water.
Seasonal tariffs, such as a scheme planned by Anglian Water, will encourage customers to “reduce discretionary water usage” during the summer months.
The company previously said smart water meters could make it “feasible” to introduce “separate additional fees for sprinkler users, hosepipe users, outside tap users, swimming pools”.
Notice how smart meters only ever make the price go up....<<<Read More>>>...
