IT has rained a great deal this year and yet we still face water shortages.

A review of the Water Act 2003, particularly Section 81, introduced a duty on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), presently Hilary Benn, to encourage water conservation.

Climate change, population growth, changes in household size and the drought in South East England in 2004-2006 all contribute to the fact we should all have to come to respect water more than ever.

Per capita consumption in the UK is substantially higher than in most countries in the European Union. Of course, that does not mean that continental Europeans wash less and are smellier than us. They just view water differently and do not take their supply for granted.

The Government hopes to reduce per capita consumption — which is around 150 litres per day, per person — to 130 by 2030. This seems a modest change, but if you travel through any part of London you cannot fail to notice that many roads are partially or totally closed by water companies improving the old pipes systems thereby reducing leakages that will contribute massively to improvements to our water supply.

Water metering will increase, and not just in areas of water stress, but throughout England and Wales.

The Government would be wise to review charging policies in terms of efficiency and fairness, to which water companies must abide.

But the Government is taking this issue seriously: - New homes will be built with tighter water limits than the 130 litre total.

- Eco towns, if they were to come about, will have even tighter limits.

- The Thames Gateway development is to achieve water neutrality despite massive developments.

Now we must act locally. I have had a good look at the water map of England and Wales and, although it is challengingly small, Barnet is as yet not in a reasonable position, with massive developments proposed, this Council could lead the way.

Still, I hope we will all treat water with increased respect.