Water companies in areas at risk of “serious water stress” will be able to seek compulsory water metering as part of their long term water resource management plans under draft proposals published this week.

The measures, outlined in a consultation by Defra, have been developed by the Water Saving Group. They would add metering to the existing raft of options for companies trying to save water supplies. Currently water companies can only compel homeowners to retrospectively fit water meters under special circumstances.

The announcement comes alongside one from the Environment Agency about their project to map areas of England most at risk of "serious water stress".

Environment Minister Ian Pearson said: "Metering saves water, on average 10% per household, and in areas of serious water stress metering may be a valuable additional tool in providing security by reducing unnecessary water use and waste.”

 "From this year, for the first time, water companies' draft water resource management plans will be subject to public consultation and comment. Consumers will have an opportunity for their views on how the plans affect them to be taken into account. But the issue of water stress is pressing and we cannot postpone the debate on metering indefinitely."

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has already recommended making it easier for water companies in water stressed areas to impose compulsory metering.