California only has about one year’s supply of water left

[jimmy olsen]

On something water related - I can't believe that UK water companies aren't charging per amount of water used. I am just getting charged a flat rate for the year as I don't have a water meter. I guess I can have a water party?

Has the UK ever had a drought? I was under the impression it rained 24/7 there. 

HMBOB! Long time no see.

[grumbler]

Bleed the Agripigs! 

Exactly. Fuck the farmers; all they do is raise food.  Who needs that?

[Martinus]

On something water related - I can't believe that UK water companies aren't charging per amount of water used. I am just getting charged a flat rate for the year as I don't have a water meter. I guess I can have a water party?

Has the UK ever had a drought? I was under the impression it rained 24/7 there. 

Actually, I seem to recall there have been issues with water shortage in Southern part of the country a while ago, with limits on gardening etc. being imposed.

[garbon]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/weather/11548416/Only-a-third-of-average-rainfall-with-April-almost-over.html

Only a third of average rainfall with April almost over

A drier than average April is raising fears of a potential drought, but forecasters predict some rain is on the way

Britain has experienced only a third of the average rainfall for April despite being more than half-way through the month, raising fears of a potential drought.

Last week's heatwave saw the Met Office slash its rain forecast, as the country basked in unseasonably hot weather with highs of over 25C.

And temperatures will continue to soar well above average this week – to as high as 19C by Tuesday around London, Southampton and southern coastal areas.

The dry spell follows months of below-average rainfall and conditions are not expected to bring significant showers before May's arrival.

Initial figures suggest only 35 per cent of the average rainfall for April has fallen so far.

Met Office forecaster Emma Sillitoe said: "We are over half-way through the month but we've had around a third of the rainfall we get on average.

"Over the next week temperatures are going to stay above average for most parts of the country, with the high pressure lasting until the weekend."

Weather data for the year so far shows national rain fall has been significantly lower than average nearly every month.

However, the Met Office reassured that fears of a drought were unwarranted, insisting that conditions would have to get much drier for longer before water levels become a concern.

Temperatures are expected to tumble slightly by midweek with rain expected in some areas.

The year got off to a soggy start, with January around 20 per cent higher than average but then around 13 per cent less rain fell in February than usual, and last month the figure was around five per cent below average.

Forecasters have not predicted heavy downfall to make up for April's lack of rain before the month is out, although The Environment Agency has said water levels are okay for the moment.

A spokesperson said: "River and groundwater levels across England are healthy.

"We monitor closely throughout the year and always advise people to use water wisely."

The pleasant conditions are expected to switch from Friday onwards, to a south-westerly flow of showers moving into western England.

But further east, it is expected to remain dry and temperatures will stay up around 17C on Friday.

Ms Sillitoe said: "The average for mid-April and it's been quite warm for the time of year.

"We have had high pressure in charge, sitting over the country but there is still quite a fresh breeze that will feel chilly if you're out on the south and east coasts."

Temperatures peaked on Wednesday, with a high of 25.1C recorded in Frittenden, Kent.

The heatwave filled parks and pubs across the country, but tragedy struck when a 19-year-old drowned in Hampstead swimming ponds in north London.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner, Peter Cowup, warned: "Rivers, lakes and canals may look inviting, especially on a hot day and after a drink, but it's important to realise that open water has hidden dangers that can hurt you and at worse, kill you."

[Caliga]

Exactly. Fuck the farmers; all they do is raise food.  Who needs that?

[Grey Fox]

On something water related - I can't believe that UK water companies aren't charging per amount of water used. I am just getting charged a flat rate for the year as I don't have a water meter. I guess I can have a water party?

I have a meter & yet, my city has no plan to charge for water. It's been 40 years too. 

[Syt]

My building has a central meter that's then distributed on flat size. My last water meter was two apartments ago (and then only for hot water).

[Caliga]

On something water related - I can't believe that UK water companies aren't charging per amount of water used. I am just getting charged a flat rate for the year as I don't have a water meter. I guess I can have a water party?

I have a meter & yet, my city has no plan to charge for water. It's been 40 years too. 

All of the meters in my area are wireless and the water company just drives around and collects data remotely.

[Grey Fox]

In my dad girlfriend's house, all the meters are facing a concrete wall, mere inches away. All impossible to read. (3 meters in the house, same city)

[grumbler]

In my dad girlfriend's house, all the meters are facing a concrete wall, mere inches away. All impossible to read. (3 meters in the house, same city)

Again, as cal noted, meters aren't "read" any more.  They are accessed wirelessly.

[garbon]

In my dad girlfriend's house, all the meters are facing a concrete wall, mere inches away. All impossible to read. (3 meters in the house, same city)

Again, as cal noted, meters aren't "read" any more.  They are accessed wirelessly.

In NYC, a person from ConEdison would come weekly to each individual apartment, wanting access so that they could read the meter (electric).  Mind you, not a water meter as I've actually never before now had to pay that directly.

[Syt]

All of the meters in my area are wireless and the water company just drives around and collects data remotely.

They're becoming more popular here. Only meters in my apartment are for gas/electricity, and the way it works with my supplier, I read them once a year and enter it on their webpage; every third year they send someone over to read it.

[Caliga]

At first I was like "It's weird we would have something in Kentucky before NYC", and then I remembered "Unions."

[derspiess]

Unions protect workin' folks.

[Valmy]

At first I was like "It's weird we would have something in Kentucky before NYC", and then I remembered "Unions."

Older infrastructure that still functions is generally slow to be replaced. So they will be much more common in new builds than in places like NYC. The cost of replacing all the boxes in NYC would be unbelievable and probably a low priority. Lots of things in NYC are hardly cutting edge anyway so why would it be weird? Does NYC have this reputation for high tech I was not aware of?