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John Prescott: Calls crisis water meeting
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Water Shortage Meeting Next Week
The Government has called an urgent meeting next week to discuss the country's continuing water crisis.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, said that immediate action was needed to avoid another summer drought.
Representatives from the water industries, environmental agencies and consumer
groups are expected to attend the conference, which will be held in London next Monday.
Mr Prescott, who is also Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the
Regions, said "This Government is determined to take decisive action to tackle
the causes of the problems which the experience of the past few years and the
current drought has highlighted. At the water summit, we shall be putting forward our proposals for urgent action to tackle these problems."
Water taken for granted
Issues to be addressed include water abstraction licensing, water company
leakage, leakage repair services for domestic customers, water efficiency audits for households, and the promotion of efficient appliances.
"Water is a resource which everyone tends to take for granted - the water
industry, regulators and users," he said.
"We have to transform that attitude. Climate change and household growth are
likely to put increasing pressure on water use. "We need to take action now to ensure that everyone is playing their full part. This summit is the start of that action."
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Micael Meacher: Chairman
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The meeting will be chaired by the Environment Minister Michael Meacher with Mr
Prescott giving the keynote address.
The summit, which comes as Britain suffers its driest two-year period for two
centuries, was welcomed by representatives from the water industry.
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