Legislation to force UK water companies to conserve water planned for next spring

The Independent on Sunday has reported that the legislation may be included in the next Queen’s Speech and that a draft version of the bill will be published next spring. The newspaper says such legislation should be a boost to domestic water metering.

The legislation will also change how water companies deal with water shortages. Companies will have to draw up drought plans and their right to impose drought orders, such as the one imposed by Yorkshire Water in 1996, may be restricted.