Affinity Water’s new charging plan has some obvious flaws

The first, and most obvious, is that those participating have been conscripted, writes James Moore

A fly fisherman in the river Darent: Of the world’s 224 chalk streams, 161 are in the UK. These are under threat from increasing water demand (Getty)

Is Affinity Water’s new charging plan the start of rationing by the back door or a new system of paying for water that will make this rather important commodity “fairer and more affordable” for domestic customers?

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

So let’s unpick a scheme that may soon be coming to you given that water regulator Ofwat has spoken approvingly of it and will be closely monitoring the results (as will Affinity’s peers). You mightn’t get much choice in the matter, either. Those selected for the trial didn’t.