I TOTALLY agree with Darren Bentham of Southern Water (“Metering is fairest way to charge”, Letters, May 1), water meters for the majority of households work well.

I think myself lucky as our water bill has plummeted without actually trying. This I put down to a well thought-out plumbing system ie storage hot water in an airing cupboard adjacent to the bathroom and above the kitchen.

However there must be many council-owned and rented accommodation in the city where the hot water system was installed well before meters were even dreamed of so no thought was given to boiler positions etc.

The cheapest is probably the combi instantaneous that could be placed well away from the run off points.

Many litres of water are wasted waiting for a hot shower or washing up. I have a friend who collects this in plastic containers to use elsewhere if possible. Their water bill is well above average.

My point here is, is this fair on householders that have no say on hot water installations.

Should Southern Water get together with local councils, landlords etc to help those that are now undoubtedly struggling due to, let’s face it, no fault of their own.

One such idea would be to give grants to aid a project for more efficiency. Water meter installation has been totally funded in an attempt to save water, successful. It needs now commitment from elsewhere to progress.

PD, Shirley, Southampton.