Water Firms May Raise Prices During Droughts
Listen to the story
Water companies in England and Wales may soon charge more money during a drought. A drought is a long time with no rain.
The idea comes from Ofwat. Ofwat is the group that checks water companies. It makes sure they are fair to customers.
Ofwat wants companies to think about water scarcity when they make bills. Water scarcity means there is not enough water.
This is called 'surge pricing'. Surge pricing means prices go up when something is hard to get.
The plan is only an idea right now. It is not a rule yet.
Ofwat hopes higher prices will help people use less water. People might turn off taps faster or use less water in gardens.
Some people may not like this plan. Higher bills can be hard for families with less money.
Water companies say they need new ways to save water. Droughts are becoming more common in England and Wales.
The government and Ofwat will look at this plan more closely. They want to know if it is fair for everyone.
Vocabulary15 words
- drought
- a long time with very little or no rain
- water scarcity
- not having enough water
- surge pricing
- when prices go up because something is hard to get
- regulator
- a group that checks if companies are fair
- consumption
- how much of something people use
- bills
- money you must pay for a service
- proposal
- an idea that is not a rule yet
- customers
- people who buy or use a service
- sector
- a part of business, like water or energy
- fair
- right and equal for everyone
- supplier
- a company that gives you something, like water
- reduce
- to make something smaller or less
- charge
- to ask someone to pay money
- government
- the group of people who run a country
- rule
- something everyone must follow
Quiz
Answer key
1. Prices going up when something is hard to get 2. Ofwat 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Water companies in England and Wales may soon charge more money during a _____.
The idea comes from _____. It is the group that checks water companies.
Ofwat wants companies to think about water _____ when they make bills.
This is called 'surge _____'.
The plan is only an _____ right now.
Ofwat hopes higher prices will help people use _____ water.
Some people may not like this plan because higher _____ can be hard for families.
Water companies say they need new ways to _____ water.
Droughts are becoming more _____ in England and Wales.
The government and Ofwat will look at this plan to see if it is _____ for everyone.
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