Water Tight: the Impact of Water Metering on Low-income Families - Softcover

Cuninghame, Christopher; Griffin, Joan; Laws, Sophie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1899120270 ISBN 13: 9781899120277

Publisher: Save the Children, 1996

Synopsis

An adequate supply of clean water is vital for children's health. With the introduction of water metering, some children may not have access to all the water they need because their families cannot afford it. This report presents the findings of Save the Children's qualitative research on the health and social impact of water metering on 71 families with young children. Researchers interviewed families on two outer London housing estates. The study was designed to point up some of the likely consequences if domestic metering was introduced more widely. It looks at the ways in which families feel forced to economise, and the effects on children of using less water; the individual and public health implications; alternatives to metering; problems with paying the bill, and debts. Its recommendations, including those of the families interviewed, suggest a fairer method must be found for charging for water. The research showed that many families struggled to pay their bills and almost half were in arrears. Most tried to cut down their water use by economizing on essentials such as baths and toilet flushing. Other families refused to cut back because they did not want to jeopardise their children's health. This report should be useful reading for public policy makers, those concerned with the management of the water industry and other utilities, and health, social, research, housing and planning workers in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.

About this edition

• Publisher: Save the Children
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 1899120270
• ISBN 13: 9781899120277
• Binding: Paperback