On Sat, 15 May 2010 19:33:02 -0400, "Lou" wrote:

Everywhere in the UK it's a flat charge, no matter how much water a
particular account might use?

No. An increasing number of water users in the UK have their
consumption metered.
For unmetered customers the 'flat charge' is variable, depending on
the 'rateable value' of the premises, i.e. the basis upon which local
taxation is levied. A fairly low-using customer, for example a single
person, living in a reasonably affluent place, is much better-off
having a metered supply.
Unlike energy (electricity/gas) suppliers the water people generally
have a sort of monopoly in a particular area.

--
Frank Erskine