With reference to recent water price hikes, Thames Water has the monopoly.

The only choice some of us have is metered water or a standard charge.

If there are many occupants to your household, it is probably cheaper to forget metering.

Some people should consider changing to a meter -- single householders and couples could shave off a good part of the standard charge.

There are some amazing savings to be made with careful planning. It means considerate use of the water supply through the meter.

Paying through a meter usually affects the way water is used to no great detriment. After all, it is not essential to flush the loo every time, you do not need to run a tap when cleaning teeth, and showering is generally cheaper than bathing (unless, like me, you use a spouse's bath water).

Boiling enough water in a kettle for immediate use has a twofold saving on water and electricity.

You also tend to keep your plumbing installations in good repair -- a leaking tap, for instance, costs extra.

For the garden, I have two large barrels to collect rainwater from the roof for plants and car washing. In hot summers, you can use bath water on the garden.

Metered water is paid for after use, whereas a standard charge is paid before use of water and sewage.

I understand Thames Water has a one-year "settling in" period after the installation of a meter. If you do not like it, you can revert to the standard charge.

New developments can use water only via a meter (it seems slightly unfair to me).

I am a happy meter user and save much money compared with the standard charge, but it is not for every household. ALAN KERRY, Cowley Road, Littlemore, Oxford