SIR – Re David Rhodes’ call for universal water metering, (Letters, September 15), “so that every drop used is paid for”.

Every drop used IS paid for, (unless customers default). If Mr Rhodes means at the same rate, that will hit poor families hard, especially as other utilities, accommodation, transport and other essentials are becoming so much more expensive while incomes go down or stagnate. The single occupier can get “fair” water charges by asking for a meter – they don’t have to pay the same as the family next door!

Metering every domestic property will merely put up costs for all of us, and as water is replenished at no cost, (unlike fossil fuels), it doesn’t need price-rationing except possibly in a few highly-populated, resource-poor parts of the country.

John Hall, (ex-Yorkshire WaterWatch), Pennithorne Avenue, Baildon