Determining areas of water stress in England

This consultation sets out our latest method and initial outcomes for determining areas of water stress in England.

We will advise the Secretary of State on which areas they should determine as areas of serious water stress.

The determination is only to inform whether water companies, in areas of serious water stress, can consider charging for water by metred volume for all customers (compulsory metering). This is one of the options they can consider in their water resources management plans to manage water supplies.