London, U.K. --- (METERING.COM) --- May 9, 2008 – U.K. utility Thames Water has released its draft Water Resources Management Plan, which includes introducing water meters to some 80 percent of its residential customers. At present many households in the country still pay a flat rate for water, based on the ratable value of their properties, but the droughts experienced in the southern part of the U.K. in recent years is resulting in an increase in the amount of water meters being deployed.

In the case of Thames Water, the company also has to contend with aging infrastructure and resulting leakage of up to 30 percent of demand. Replacement of old piping – some of which dates back to Victorian times – and the introduction of the meters is expected to reduce demand in a region where population growth is rapid.

The utility hopes to have 50 percent of its residential customers using water meters by 2015, with 80 percent on a metered supply by 2020.